What is Lent?

 

There are some religions that observe Lent during the Easter Season. But what is it and should we as Christians practice it?

I thought for today's devotion, we should take a look at it. To getting a better understanding of it and even perhaps to see if celebrating it, is for us. Please read on:

What is the meaning of Lent? How did it begin? Is it Biblical? And should we participate in it? gotquestions.org answers these questions:

Lent is a period of fasting, moderation, and self-denial traditionally observed by Catholics and some Protestant denominations. It begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday. The length of the Lenten fast was established in the 4th century as 46 days (40 days, not counting Sundays). During Lent, participants eat sparingly or give up a particular food or habit. It’s not uncommon for people to give up smoking during Lent, or to swear off watching television or eating candy or telling lies. It’s six weeks of self-discipline.

Lent began as a way for Catholics to remind themselves of the value of repentance. The austerity of the Lenten season was seen as similar to how people in the Old Testament fasted and repented in sackcloth and ashes (Esther 4:1-3; Jeremiah 6:26; Daniel 9:3).

However, over the centuries Lenten observances have developed a much more "sacramental" value. Many Catholics believe that giving something up for Lent is a way to attain God’s blessing. But the Bible teaches that grace cannot be earned; grace is “the gift of righteousness” (Romans 5:17). Also, Jesus taught that fasting should be done discreetly: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen” (Matthew 6:16-18). Jesus’ command to “wash your face” seems to conflict with the practice of rubbing ashes on one’s face on Ash Wednesday.

Fasting can be a good thing, and God is pleased when we repent of sinful habits. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with setting aside some time to focus on Jesus’ death and resurrection. However, repenting of sin is something we should be doing every day of the year, not just for the 46 days of Lent.

If a Christian wishes to observe Lent, he is free to do so. The key is to focus on repenting of sin and consecrating oneself to God. Lent should not be a time of boasting of one’s sacrifice or trying to earn God’s favor or increasing His love. God’s love for us could not be any greater than it already is.

(credit: gotquestions.org) 

My thoughts and opinions about Lent:

 It is a time of reflection and repentance. And while this is a good thing to do during Easter, shouldn't we be doing that more than one time a year? Maybe even every day?

Don't get me wrong and maybe I am missing the boat here, or a partial one at least. But I do feel it more necessary to try to always reflect on the sin in our lives and repentance for it.,while observing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in our lives. After all, the the Easter celebration is not about ourselves, but is about what He did for us

However, neither do I reject this practice or endorse it. It is an induvial decision that we as believers make before God.

I do believe that if we observe it, it should be a very serious time before God, and not just another tradition that we celebrate to show others of our own "holiness." Because we have no holiness apart from God. 

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. I hope this has been helpful if you have never practiced Lent and wanted to learn more about it. Have a blessed day until next we meet.