Walk the Way

gjdardar said »

I hope this is received in the spirit with which it is intended-in love. I am in complete agreement that we need to get serious about sin in our lives that do not please God, and I believe in and practice the discipline of fasting regularly. My problem is with Lent. The practice of Lent is totally contrary to the biblical concept of fasting and God's forgiveness. Lent is the practice of giving something up that is important to you in order to make up for sins that one has committed. But the Bible tells us that we cannot make up for our sins. Our righteousness is as fithy rags, and God says that obedience is better than sacrifice. In addition, the Bible says that all we have to do is confess our sins, and God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from unrighteousness. If we think that sacrificing something for a period of time is going to make up for our sins, then we are truly mistaken and do not understand the Word of God. I believe that the message you are attempting to communicate is good, but to associate it with Lent is not. We ought to be broken over our sins always, not just during certain times of the year. We are forgiven because of God's grace, not because of works that we do.

February 27, 2009

Geertsma said »

@gjdardar:

In the legalistic sense, I agree with you. To look at Lent as an opportunity to somehow "make up" for our sins is wrong. However, to transform this tradition into an opportunity to look honestly at our sin and bring it before God is a great idea. Yes, it is something that we should be doing all the time. Does that make it wrong to use Lent as a chance to start doing it?

I find it hard to believe that anyone is so perfect at being broken over their sins that they couldn't use a reminder--and the Lent season seems to be an appropriate time for that.

February 27, 2009

gjdardar said »

I never claimed that anyone was perfect. We could all use reminders from time to time, but I just do not understand why Christians would want to associate themselves with a religious activity that is contrary to God's Word.

The whole concept of Lent is unbiblical. I live in south Louisiana where Mardi Gras is a huge holiday. The basis for Mardi Gras(Fat Tuesday) is to party hard and sin as much as you can knowing that starting Ash Wednesday you will be giving something up to make up for your sins. Many people have this misconception that Lent will result in their being right with God. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Yet, followers of Christ, who know better than this, participate in Lent as though it is okay.

February 27, 2009

Jeff said »

We shouldn't allow the world and its poor and untruthful practices dictate to us how we practice our Christian faith. I can appreciate where you live and how you see this whole Lent concept abused there. I don't agree with that at all, but I have seen Lent practiced in a very biblical way. By people who take seriously not only the idea of their sin, but a return to the Lord. Lent is not only about sin, it also involves turning to the Lord with a renewed focus. All of us need that.

February 27, 2009