RENEW MY LOVE : Dcn Dominic Ichaba

<p>Spiritual practices or disciplines are means to an end, but not the end; they are the &nbsp;pathway to the goal. Prayer, fasting, worship, tithing, offerings, sacrifices, etc. are useless if we are not &nbsp;committed to the pursuit of righteousness, mercy, love, and justice.&nbsp;</p> <p>(See examples in &nbsp;Isaiah 58:1-12; Malachi 2:13-16; Matthew 23:23; Mark 7:1-13)&nbsp;</p> <p>We can easily turn the spiritual practices/disciplines into legalistic empty religion if &nbsp;we: &nbsp;</p> <p>• Forget that they are a means to an end, not the end.&nbsp;</p> <p>• Observe them without required humble and repentant hearts.&nbsp;</p> <p>• Observe them to achieve our own ends rather than God’s purpose. &nbsp;</p> <p>The Pharisees were experts in observing religious practices and disciplines, but they &nbsp;were not on God’s agenda. &nbsp;The Pharisees’ testing question and Jesus’ answer.</p>