ግነዩ ለእግዚአብሔር

፳፩ / የካቲት · 2027-02-28

Saint Paul teaches that the will of God is our sanctification. Christians must not live according to uncontrolled desires or treat others as objects for personal gratification. The human body belongs to God and should be honoured as part of a holy life. Holiness also includes brotherly love, peaceful conduct, honest work, and responsible daily living. The person who fasts should not become quarrelsome, lazy, judgmental, or dependent upon others unnecessarily. Spiritual devotion should produce discipline, love, peace, and integrity. Saint Peter calls believers to place their hope fully in the grace of Jesus Christ. Because the One who called us is holy, we must also be holy in every aspect of life. We were not redeemed with temporary things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. The Word of God gives new and enduring life. Human glory fades like grass and flowers, but the Word of the Lord remains forever. The fasting Christian should therefore build life upon what is eternal rather than upon passing desires and possessions. In Acts, Saint Peter receives a vision challenging his former understanding of clean and unclean. God teaches him not to call profane anyone whom God has accepted. When messengers from Cornelius arrive, Peter welcomes them and enters a Gentile household. This passage challenges every form of prejudice. A person cannot seek holiness while despising people because of their ethnicity, nationality, background, social position, or former life. God’s grace reaches beyond the boundaries human beings construct. Jesus teaches His disciples not to make their fasting obvious through a sad or neglected appearance. The purpose of fasting is not to advertise personal holiness. The Father who sees in secret knows the sincerity of the heart. Christ also teaches us to store treasure in heaven, serve God rather than wealth, and refuse to be controlled by anxiety. The Father feeds the birds and clothes the flowers; He knows what His children need. The centre of Christian life is therefore: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” True holiness means belonging completely to God. It becomes visible through purity, love, honest work, welcome for others, freedom from greed, trust in divine providence, and a fasting heart that seeks the Father rather than human admiration.