Standing Firm

Brothers and sisters, I implore you, have nothing to do with Lent. This week, for many, will mark the beginning of Lent—the 40-day period leading up to Easter. It is portrayed as a time of humbling one’s self to prepare for receiving the true meaning of the cross at Easter time. Those who participate in Lent will begin this Wednesday, having a priest or pastor put ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of sin, shame, and repentance—the supposed first steps toward renewal at Easter. But Paul wrote, “Stand firm…and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” -Gal 5:1
The pull of the flesh is strong—and deceitful. Ephesians tells us, “…put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.”-Eph 4:22. We assume we understand ourselves and why we think and do certain things, but that is not true. The desires of the flesh are deceitful, drawing you in under false pretense. In other words, sinful desire comes, and our minds begin to justify it, to pave the way for doing it. People are drawn to participate in Lent by the humble stance a person is asked to take, denying themselves certain pleasures for the sake of Christ. However, they are being deceived by their own flesh. The real reason is self-righteousness before God. Very dangerous! Gal 5:2-3:
Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again, I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is required to obey the whole law.
Your life in Christ can only be found and furthered through worship and adoration of the One who died to take away your sins. And you know that His death and resurrection brought to you a complete rebirth as a new creation in Christ. When they pierced Jesus’ side, there came forth “a sudden flow of blood and water.” These are the removal of your sins and the crucifixion of your sinful nature through baptism. Many Christians do not understand the power of the cross—but you do! Your Savior is seated at the right hand of God because He suffered and died to present you Holy before His Father—and you are!
Ashes have no place on the forehead of one who has been saved and sanctified by Christ. We do not parade around wearing the regret of something Jesus died for and left in the grave. This is why I am compelled to make such a big deal about Lent. It is a pagan ritual, sanctioned by the Catholic church, among others. It is an exercise in denying your Savior and the cross that saved you. It is a call to indulge—not deny—the flesh, with its need to be in control and to look good before others. For this reason, Jesus said, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.” -Matt 6:16
Jesus told us to abide in Him, and He will abide in us. This takes place through prayer and worship on a continual basis. This time leading up to Easter is no more special than any other time of the year. As you worship by His Spirit, there may be times when He calls you to fast. In prayer, worship, praise, and fasting, the Holy Spirit works with power through you to bless some, to heal others, or to set captives free. He will also strengthen you in the Truth. But we do not need a calendar or religious organization to tell us to do these things. Without the Holy Spirit directing you through prayer, these things are only empty exercises—just rules taught by men. Stand firm!
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. Col:2:23
Other major religions have their own version of Lent during this time of year. Muslims: Ramadan. Jews: Teshuvah and Yom Kippur. That should surprise you. Are they celebrating Christ along with us? No! Rather, we are celebrating the works of the flesh along with them.