Tomorrow we begin another Lenten season which now means we will all have to endure endless posts on Facebook from “friends” telling us about all the things they’re “giving up” for Lent.
Here’s my problem: If Lent is the season when we consider afresh the great love and mercy of our Savior in willingly dying for our sins, then it has absolutely nothing to do with giving up chocolate (or caramel-mocha lattes or good barbeque). The purpose of Lent is to remind us of the hatefulness and deadliness of sin. Thus, if we’re going to “give up” something in honor of Lent, that something ought to be sin – and not something that God is perfectly pleased with.
God loves chocolate and good barbeque (He probably even tolerates caramel-mocha lattes) but it’s certain that He hates sin. Lent, if we’re observing it properly, should teach us to hate what God hates – and give that up.
Further, remember this: repentance means not only “putting off” sin and evil, but “putting on” new obedience (Eph. 4:22-24; Rom. 6:1-4). So, our focus during Lent is not merely to be negative – growing in our hatred of sin – it should also be positive – praying for strength to walk in new obedience. Where have you been unfaithful or careless in your walk? Where are you negligent in your obedience? Make Lent the time to identify these areas and focus upon growing in faithfulness.
Lent is the season when we are to remember the high price that was paid for our salvation. And as we remember, we are to give ourselves to growing in gratitude for God’s love and growing in likeness to the One who gave Himself for us.
So, here’s a Lenten resolution for you: “This Lenten season, I want to grow in my hatred of sin so that I can turn from it and walk in new obedience, growing in conformity to my faithful Savior, Jesus. . . . and I’m going to give thanks for Jesus’ love by eating some really good food in anticipation of Easter.”
So, are you giving up chocolate or barbeque?
I think that giving up/hating sin is something we do all the time. During Lent I try to give up something that is sacrificial and can in turn allow me to either cultivate self-discipline, use my time and/or money more wisely, or both.
So I could give up the daily Starbucks trip and use that money I’d be spending for some extra offering toward God’s work. And who knows? Maybe after Lent the habit will be something I continue, but if not I’ve still done something worthwhile and showed myself I can periodically do something extra that benefits the Kingdom.
Or I could give up Facebook, Twitter or some other time consuming/time wasting hobby or exercise and devote some of that time toward reading good spiritually-oriented books, my Bible or prayer. This allows a concentrated focus on spiritual growth and maturity and learning. And again, perhaps I will cultivate new habits so that when Lent is over my time spent in these areas are more balanced and I’ve created room for more fruitful activity while still allowing for enjoyment of my normal hobbies.
I agree that simply giving up something isn’t the point. It’s giving up something to enable you to do something else that’s better…something that helps propel you toward Christ, including a time for self-examination and yes, hatred and renouncing of sin. Sometimes it just takes a devoted plan such as this to help us concentrate on it more.
I’m not sure “friends” should be in scare quotes. Many of them actually are our friends. Personally I would rather see an update on what someone is giving up than a play-by-play of the ‘Big’ game. Haha.
I agree we should should give up sin before they give up something good. I have had several funny conversations with people who are giving up something that they should not be doing anyway, with full intent to start back up once Lent is over!
But I have always thought of Lent as a time of self denial, meant to draw focus to Christs immense denial and separation from the Father. Self denial is something it seems a Christian has to get good at and generally has a character building quality. Since Lent is a short period, and no one gives up anything forever, I can’t see what harm it will do. Though I don’t think it’s necessary for our walk, I imagine it does more harm than good.
If we never deny ourselves things that are good, like chocolate and barbecue, are we never to fast at all?
*Oops, more good than harm.