A few days from now Christians around the world will be seen with ashes on their foreheads, a sign that they’ve begun a 40-day period of personal introspection, an inward focus on the depth of their sin … the sin that Jesus had to pay for through His death on the cross. This is sometimes done by committing to more prayer time, Bible reading or other spiritual discipline, but is usually done with a commitment to self-denial, often by abstaining from certain food or drink or by giving up some other sort of “fleshly desire” like television or social media. This 40 day “fast” is ended with the celebration of Jesus rising from the dead at Easter.
While this may sound like a great idea (and it may be), and while many churches and denominations promote the practice yearly without hesitation, many Christians and churches do not; possibly with good reason. The debate about whether or not to observe Lent goes back a long way in the history of Christianity. Those who are against the observance of Lent are not opposed to sober-minded reflection on Jesus’ suffering in our place. Mostly, they are standing with a long line of the Reformers who stood against the observance of Lent because it’s observance lacks any Biblical warrant or precedent. This was in direct opposition to what the Roman Church practiced. Many Reformers who took this stance saw the Lord’s Day as the only day set apart in the New Testament, and that the Church should only practice in worship what the Bible actually establishes, not adding holidays, “Christian observances,” or worship practices that are not prescribed in the New Testament. This is called the “regulative principle of worship.”
Not every one of the Reformers took such a strong stance against the observance of extra-biblical holidays on the Christian calendar. They took what’s referred to as the “normative principal” of worship, allowing the Church to practice worship or holidays, as long as the Bible does not explicitly or implicitly forbid them.
With good reasons set forth by both sides of the aisle, what’s a Christian to do? Observe the Lenten season, or not? Here are some thoughts.
Like many other things, Lent shouldn’t be something we decide to participate in on the spur of the moment without giving it thought. Lent is not something we should observe because our church is admonishing us to, or because everyone in our small group is “giving up” something for the 40-day observance, or because we think we have to in order to be a good Christian. It should go without saying, but we also shouldn’t do it as a way to lose weight as if it’s a “bonus” to our spiritual observance and another reason to do it.
If we decide to fast, abstain from something, or observe in some other way it should be because we feel that practicing some sort of spiritual discipline will help us focus on Jesus’ death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. This is something that should be in the forefront of our minds every day of the year, not just Lent. But if a 40-day period of self-denial helps us do that better then maybe Lent is a good time to do that!
In conclusion, no matter what your decision is about Lent, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, observing the season through abstaining doesn’t make you more “spiritual” than your Christian brothers and sisters who don’t. In fact, keeping your abstinence a secret is probably a good way to go, in the likeness of Matthew 6:16-18 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”Likewise, don’t ask others what they are giving up. It’s none of your business, and they may not be observing the season.
Second, if you don’t observe Lent for the reasons previously mentioned, don’t look down on those who do. Lent can be a beneficial time in the life of a Christian for searching the depth of our hearts for sin, reflecting on our mortality, and taking a look at the sincerity of our love for the Lord among other things.
There are a lot more things that could be said about our choices regarding the Lenten season, but the point is… think about it… don’t just “do it.” Take your decision about it seriously, and don’t look down at others who feel differently, or who haven’t given it any thought at all. Let us all approach every day in the manner spelled out in Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts, And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!”
#lent #ashwednesday #shrovetuesday #mardigras #fattuesday #Spiritual Disciplines
