Lenten Thoughts

Are you giving up anything for Lent? I actually do not celebrate Lent, per se, but I do believe in the power of fasting. It seems that in my circle of friends January is the season of self-denial. Everything from doing without chocolate to the Daniel Fast to plain ole’ not eating for a few days.

Asceticism is not found in the Bible, but fasting is. Paul wrote to the church at Colossae, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.” Then he went on to explain,”Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”

Does this mean not to practice self-discipline or fasting? No, the Bible is full of great examples of fasting and sacrifice. But the clear message is that Christ alone can give us right standing with God. If you are sacrificing to please God or become righteous you will always miss the mark. Adding good works to your sinful nature will not change it.  Paul calls it false humility. (I guess because people tend to become proud of being humble.) We need a new nature, a new birth which can only come through Jesus.

Fasting does not change God, but it does make us more sensitive to His voice. It does show us just how much our fleshly desires distract us. It also helps us re-focus on the truest joys that God has given us.

Biblical fasting is always associated with waiting on God, seeking an answer from Him. If our purpose is to get still and listen, fasting is a powerful tool. If we are trying to atone for sin, it is a lousy technique. Only by submitting our lives to Christ in broken acceptance of His cross do we get peace with God. If we could have done enough to be righteous then Christ was mistaken and died in vain. He was under the distinct impression that there was no other way. 

It is often the case that our efforts to please God by our good works and sacrifice actually compete with the salvation found only is the blood of Jesus. We trust our own goodness instead of God’s grace.  He died in our place. It was enough. Anything we try to add to that is dead religion and proves that we neither understand nor believe the Gospel. Christ died for sinners to make them righteous. No one is too bad to receive instant and total forgiveness. No one is so good that he does not need it.

So lay aside whatever you feel you should in an effort to seek God, to hear His voice. But do not try to use this wonderful devotional tool for a cover for your vice. You will go from being a rank sinner to being a skinny sinner. Without receiving the life of Jesus as your own, you are just being religious.