The Fast

[Michael Joseph]

Yes, I agree that what is within the heart is very important. In fact the Messiah started with that focus (on "the within") with His "Sermon on the Mount" (Mt 5:1-12).

But, then in Mt 7:15-21, He warned that "the within" is revealed by "the without".

Unless there is obedience (outward expression) to the Will of Our Father [7 Annual Holydays], such "celebration within" is self-delusion.

Mt 7:20-21: 20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven."

The movie "Inception" is a perfect illustration of this point. Leonardo always had to keep his "token" with him so he could always tell the real world from the dream worlds he went into mentally.

In the same way, we must always keep "doing the Will of Our Father" (7 Annual Holydays) as our "tokens" (signs) so we can always tell the truth from self-delusion.

Well of course Faith absent Works is dead. Or you might say the blessing is in the hand of the doer. Therefore just as the flesh is dead absent the Spirit - Faith is dead absent Works.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed [as a potter] man [Adam] of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath that is life; and man became a living soul.

Shalom Brethren,
MJ