Recently, someone wrote to ask about Lent. “My friend is celebrating Lent. She asked her pastor about it, and he told her, ‘If it makes you feel closer to God, then do it.’”
I would have given the opposite advice.
It reminds me of the Samaritans.
The Samaritans were a mixed-breed people with a mixed-breed religion. They had Jewish ancestry, but during the Exile, they intermarried with the Gentile nations sent to repopulate the land. When the Jews returned from exile, they rejected the Samaritans. In fact, Jewish people often refused to even walk through Samaritan land because they considered it unclean.
The Samaritans developed their own religion. They practiced a form of Judaism mixed with idolatry. They had their own priests, sacrifices, and a temple built on Mt. Gerizim. They believed their religion was authentic—in line with authentic traditions that went all the way back to Moses and Aaron—but, evidently, had some doubts about it (see John 4:19-24). The Samaritans were sincere but sincerely wrong!
Celebrating Lent is like celebrating Samaritan religion.
When I think of Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, and Lent; the resolutions; the food laws; the fast days; the feast days; the ashes; the candles; the special prayers; the special vestments; and all the rest of it, you need to realize it’s all made up. These are imitations of Biblical commands, strung together in a way that God never intended or prescribed.
We have a tremendous amount of freedom in the Christian life. That means we shouldn’t bind ourselves to these man-made religious regulations. But even more so, we shouldn’t be bound by these traditions because they have no spiritual value. Paul is clear about this in his letter to the Colossians. What does Paul think about following liturgical calendars and special food laws? Does he say they help?
Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ…If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence (Col 2:16-17, 21-23).
Samaritan religion looked impressive to the world. It made them feel close to God. So does Lent. The other pastor urged the woman to celebrate Lent if that’s what made her feel close to God. I would have urged her to put her feelings aside and worship God in spirit and in truth.
Rick
“If it makes you FEEL closer to God.” The word MAKES emphasises you doing something. In other words a work that one does to FEEL closer to God.
Another good article Shawn.
Timothy Grady
Indeed Rick and Shawn .
Coming out of Monastic Catholicism , my antennae are always trained on all manner of feeling – based attempts to enter in ‘another way’.
I deeply ‘feel’ for all those still attempting to gin up a subjective or experiential apologetic . The fideistic mysticism – at the core of Catholicism – so easily blends with any other religious discipline ; whether Buddhist , Hindu (etc.) .
Vatican 2 and Pope Francis clearly underscore , echo , and support this .
Whereas, biblical Christianity is thoroughly grounded in historic fact and objective promise .
This alone provides the groundwork for certainty as an anchor of comfort.
Tim_Amoroso
Lent is another example of another way man can follow the religious system of this world. The way only leads to production of the thorns and briers that this wicked world system produces. This way only contradict the scriptures. So, following these religious regulations not only leads to blaspheming the Holy Spirit it also clearly is against the will of God.
Tamra
Thank you for clarifying this issue for me. We enjoy reading the blogs.
Josh
The intent and motivation behind Lent observance should be assessed. For some, absolutely, it is a works based, feel better about yourself experience. This is non-value added. Personally, I enjoy using Lent as an opportunity to give something up for 6 weeks and using it as a season of intensely focused Spiritual renewal. Lent should not be mandatory, nor should people believe that this is the only time on the calendar where prayer, fasting and Spiritual renewal should occur.
EternallySaved
I for one applaud you and thank you and give God the glory for this article. Lent is an abomination fabricated by the Roman Catholic Institution, the Great Whore of Babylon. You did well to explain that Lent is not for a born again Christian. While there are millions of individual everyday folks who may identify as Roman Catholic, and some who are saved in spite of the Satanic lies and false teachings of that wicked religious political abomination, the hiearchy and the teachings are through and through of the Devil, and no born again Christian in their right mind who has read and studied Scripture and history should ever even think of partnering or speaking well of their abominations. Now, if you want to give up some food or drink or something that is one thing; fasting and prayer is in the word of God. But don’t call it “Lent”. That is Roman Catholic abomination and it angers the holy God.
Lon Gregg
Thanks, Shawn. Good reminder!
Alvin
the return to ritual: should free grace churches adopt ash …
https://faithalone.org/journal/2009ii/sterling_4.pdf
Alvin
What can we learn as true believers from David Zahl’s false gospel~?
David Zahl
We lay it all down at the feet of Jesus, and what we are given in return is the gift of our salvation.
https://www.christchurchcville.org/sermons/
These six little verses describe the basis of our Christian faith. “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” In the most generous of terms it says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” This is the Word. If you are wondering if you have heard the Word, there it is. Jesus is Lord of your life. Keep it simple.
You might be saying to yourself about now, “But I haven’t confessed with my lips and I don’t know if I believe in my heart that Jesus is Lord.” You’re giving up chocolate, alcohol, Twitter, Facebook, swearing
This is what it means to call on the name of the Lord to be saved. To call out for help and be heard by the God who made you and came to this earth as Jesus Christ to let you know that he has heard you cry. “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart.” You can believe it because everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Even you. Especially you.
This is another gospel, one of faith and works for salivation (Gal 1:7-9)