January 12, 2017
Mahatma Gandhi

On this date, January 12, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi begins his final fast-unto-death in Delhi to stop communal violence during the Partition of India. The details are as follows:

“This one lasted six days and was broken after people promised they would not quarrel and kill.
A few days later, Gandhi was killed. He had led the country to freedom, and he had watched it turn determinedly away from his ideals of Satyagraha. His four fasts unto death were all undertaken not against the government of the time but to persuade his countrymen to adhere to social justice.

Here is a list of his “fasts unto death”

In 1918. For an increase in the wages of mill workers in Ahmedabad. Lasted four days.
In 1932. For joint electorates for the entire Hindu populace rather than separate electorates for untouchables. Lasted six days.
In 1947. For communal harmony. Lasted four days.
In 1948. For communal harmony. Lasted six days.”
(swarajyamag.com/politics/gandhi-and-his-fasts)

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, “The two shall be one flesh.” But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” 1Corinthians 6:13-20

Like Gandhi who followed him many years later, Paul was seeking changes in society around him. What was true for the years Paul walked on this earth, was true for the years Gandhi walked on this earth, and is still true today — when people become self-consumed, they can lose their perspective to the point where persecution and injustice can thrive. Gandhi used his fame and notoriety to his benefit, and the benefit of his community.

Now, we can choose to call a “Fast-unto-death” – but the odds are pretty good that not many will hear about it, or even care. But we do not need to consider such extreme measures to bring about positive change in our community and in our society. Instead of a fast, we can organize a food drive, or offer a free community meal. Instead of taking a vow of poverty, we can take a collection for a local charity or ministry. We do not need to be famous or infamous to be an agent of change – we just need the determination and the presence of the Holy Spirit to care enough to do something.

Pastor Dave