The Disciplines That Draw Us to God
After explaining that true righteousness seeks God's approval rather than human praise, Rev. Sang Ho Bae now turned his attention to spiritual disciplines. f
Jesus, in Matthew 6, teaches His disciples about three practices that shape a godly life—almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. These three are not merely religious duties but spiritual pillars that sustain the life of God’s people. These three have been representative disciplines of piety and expressions of faith that God’s people have practiced in their actual lives throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
Almsgiving is an indispensable and important element in the life of God’s people. God repeatedly commanded Israel to care for the poor, the orphan and widow, and the sojourner. “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed” (Prov 19:17). Almsgiving is not mere charity but an expression of faith offered to God. The early church put this word into practice in their lives. They cared for the poor, protected widows and orphans, and even when they lacked what they needed, they fasted and shared that food with the poor. Their almsgiving was not a special event but daily life, and their love was not words but life.
Almsgiving purifies our souls, restrains greed, and becomes a channel of grace through which we share what God has given us with our neighbors. Therefore, almsgiving is a practice deeply connected to a godly life. At the same time, it is an act of returning to God what He has entrusted to us and a way of manifesting the values of His kingdom in our daily lives. Prayer is not merely a request or a religious ritual, but the very breath of the soul and communion with God.
Prayer expresses a heart that trusts God as Father. It opens blocked spiritual channels and deepens our relationship with Him. Even abundant biblical knowledge cannot sustain a faith without prayer, for knowledge fills the mind, but prayer gives life to the soul. A praying church overflows with love, walks in natural obedience, and radiates spiritual vitality. Yet true prayer must not be a formality, but a sincere expression that flows from our relationship with God. Fasting is often forgotten in the life of many Christians today, yet Scripture presents it as an important element of godly devotion.
Fasting is not merely abstaining from food, but a discipline that humbles oneself before God, leads to repentance, and helps a wandering soul return to Him. It is also an act that seeks God’s will in times of significant decision-making. The early church fasted when sending out missionaries (Acts 13:2–3), and Israel fasted in moments of national crisis. In this way, fasting is a spiritual act that expresses a sincere dependence on God.
Jesus, in mentioning almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, emphasizes that all three must be done “before God.” The essence of piety is not a “religious image before people” but a “sincere heart before God.” True piety comes from living before God, that is, from the consciousness of God’s presence (Coram Deo). When we live with the awareness that we stand before God, we do not fear people’s gaze nor are we shaken by people’s praise.
Almsgiving is the practice of love that shares with neighbors what God has given us; prayer is the place of communion with God; and fasting is the discipline of humbling oneself to focus on God. Almsgiving, prayer, and fasting are means of piety that God has given us, and through them we come to know God more deeply and become more like Him. When we practice secret almsgiving, prayer that longs for communion with God, and fasting that seeks to focus on God, we grow into believers with deep spirituality.