The concept of Lent originally started in the 2nd century with a few days of personal reflection on the cross of Christ in preparation for Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. By the 4th century this had grown to a period of 40 days. Some of the traditions vary from a more casual observance to others who had a complete 40 day fast. As I understand it, the idea is to have a period of time of personal repentance and renewal with the Lord.
Certainly, one can find little fault with personal repentance and renewal. However, I have serious concerns with the contemporary celebration of Lent. Let me share just a couple.
First, personal repentance and renewal is to be a moment by moment experience which characterizes the life of the believer every day of the year. It is not just a 40 day thingy.
Second, I am concerned that people are coming up with their own standards of spirituality. The people I have talked to who are celebrating Lent are giving up things like chocolate, or ice cream, or ranch dressing, or their favorite TV show. I overheard one lady who had just come from an Ash Wednesday service (or so the grayish dot on her forehead would seem to indicate) sharing with a teller, “it has to be something that you like or enjoy.” That, of course, is found nowhere in the Bible (1 Tim. 6.17).
I have yet to meet a person who is focusing on giving up the things God asks them to give up. For example, in Galatians 5.19-21 list 15 things that we are to give up, Colossians 3 has lists of “old clothing” that we are to put off and “new clothing” that we are to put on. But none I have met have shared anything like what would come from those verses.
I have yet to meet a wife who has decided that for these 40 days she will show complete respect for her husband and say nothing negative about him. I have yet to meet a man who has said that for these 40 days he will be the completely kind and attentive to his wife. I have yet to meet child who has decided that for the next 40 days they will focus on obeying and honoring their parents.
Of course, giving up things like chocolate, ice cream, and ranch dressing is much easier. But then, whose favor are you trying to garner? Is it not probable that God’s favor comes from doing what God asks?
Until we are doing what God has specifically told us He wants, maybe we shouldn’t try to add our own standards of spirituality. Colossians 2.20-23 reminds us that we can come up with things that are a harsh treatment of our body, that they have an appearance of human wisdom, but are of no value in changing our lives before God.
Very insightful, convicting…awesome. Thanks.
Hi Steve,
Although I know that for the most part we’re going to have to agree to disagree about Lent, I did read a wonderful devotion about Lent that may interest you.
http://www.thehighcalling.org/reflection/lenten-invitation-draw-near-god
In my own practice, each year God convicts my heart regarding an idol to submit to Him during Lent–never anything so simple as chocolate or ranch dressing. One year it was my computer use. One year it was television. Last year it was non-Christian reading materials. Each time I gave these things to God during Lent, He lessened each idols’ hold upon me in ways that have lasted years and allowed me to open my heart to Him more each year. And one Lent probably twelve years ago, He convicted me about speaking to my children in a certain tone of voice–all too easy to fall into with a newborn and toddlers racing about underfoot, and when I gave this bad habit up for Lent, God empowered me to rarely ever speak to my children in that unkind tone again.
Lent is my favorite time of year. Yes, we are to listen to God every day, confess to Him every day, place our idols at the foot of the Cross every day, but somehow doing so during Lent is sweeter, more concentrated, as we look forward to Holy Week and the remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection. That’s just the way I’ve experienced Lent–a most precious time of the Christian year for me.
No one has to celebrate Lent–certainly not!–but we aren’t commanded to celebrate Advent or Christmas either, yet we do because these holy days provide us opportunities to share the Gospel, to remember all that Christ has done for us, brings us more heartily into His Word, etc.
I have found that celebrating Lent an excellent way to start conversations about faith with nonbelievers, one way (certainly not the only way!) to draw closer to God–a sort of spiritual spring cleaning, mucking out the dusty corners where I hide my sin from myself and others–until He sweeps it out into His light where I can’t hide it any longer.
Blessings,
Susanne
Thanks for posting this article about Lent, Pastor Steve! I loved it when I first read it, but it has taken me this long to write back and respond…sorry! I have always felt that, because I love God so much, that I should really get into Lent and show Him how serious I am and how thankful I am to Him for Easter and for His salvation. But somehow, I just never seem to be successful at it…I forget to read the lovely daily Lent booklet… I absentmindedly gobble a piece of chocolate…I get grouchy over what to buy for Easter dinner
Your article was very good and very clear as to why I am not successful at it…indeed, “All our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Is. 64:6) My favorite hymn beautifully tells the story of my utter inability to add my own zealous standard of spirituality to what the Lord has done for me, in salvation and in sanctification…”Not the labors of my hands, can fulfill Thy law’s demands; Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, All for sin could not atone; Thou must save and Thou alone!” (Rock of Ages). Thanks for the article…Happy Easter…”He has risen”!!! (Mark 16:6)
thank you for the post. I came across it while researching the tradition of Lent, and after having just read Colossians 2. The verses that you mentioned, as well as 2:8 especially stood out in relation to this topic.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
Your commentary was helpful and insightful, and I hope you don’t mind that I shared it on facebook as well. blessings to you.