Isaiah 58, Ephesians 3

Isaiah 58

Jesus told us that the great commandments of loving God and loving others were literally the “hinge” that the law hangs on. Without that “hinge”, living the law falls short of capturing his heart. Whether we are observing a Sabbath, find ourselves in a season of fasting, or writing a tithe check, this hinge is the motive in which we are to do everything.

Isaiah reminds us of this in verses 6-11.

If anything, this captures my heart today. This defines my philosophy of ministry I’m so eager to live out and lead others toward as a local body. This should define how we live in community in our own city, and around the world.

When I look at the oppression, hunger, and amazing spiritual, emotional, and physical need in the world, I can’t help but ask, “Where is the church?” I think people in our city are asking that question. I think they’d be drawn to a church that lived what they taught.

Please read these verses again. May we never turn a blind eye to the heart of God.

6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Ephesians 3

I’m humbled to remember that Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus (as well as others) was written while he was in prison. He was literally in chains for Christ. And yet his heart and mind was on encouraging the young church. He did not complain about his chains, only encouraged towards unity, hope, and love. Constantly. Wow.