Isaiah 58 does not exactly put it that way, but that was my takeaway after this Sunday's sermon from Pastor Arty Hart at the Vineyard. This chapter is almost always used as a reference on fasting, but I believe it is much broader than that.
In my last post, I used a YouTube video of Lance Wallnau describing the 7 Mountain idea that could serve as a template for taking over your city for the Kingdom of God. But God is not interested in feeding our desire to rule when we will not serve.
I don't know about you, but I have been under the rule of men of God who were more interested in their authority being honored than in my well being. It is tyrannical and something to be escaped. I don't believe it converts anyone to Christ.
It takes a real trust in God to put down your ambition for the good of others. And we must make sure we are not deceived by spiritual busyness, like God's people in Isaiah 58. If we are not helping the oppressed, we are just going through the motions.
So, who is the oppressed in America? Is everyone who complains or demands more actually oppressed? Probably, even if it's just a spiritual oppression that leaves them constantly dissatisfied. They need to be set free, and only the power of God can do that. If we have that power, we have something to give.
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