c l a s s i c a l
Recently I have been thinking about the degree of my love for God. If I truly loved God, why would I disobey Him in my heart -- in my thoughts and words and actions (cf. John 14:15)? True, I will not in this life ever love Him as He deserves to be loved, nor will I love Him to the degree now as I will once I have been transformed (cf. 1 John 3:2). This is merely a simple fact.
But lately I have been disappointed in my attempt to make the cross I am told to carry even lighter than it already is: "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light," said Jesus (Matt. 11:30 NRSV). Still, I all too often try to make Christ's yoke even easier, and His burden much, much more light. Enter the self-denying, self-examining season of Lent.
ChurchYear.Net explains that the purpose of Lent is to be
Self-discipline is one reason why I pray the Hours -- prayer being a significant spiritual component of the Lent season as well. This type of praying takes concentrated and intentional thought and does not rely upon my feelings or mood; I pray the Hours regardless of my circumstances. This teaches me how not to be led by my emotions but to pray, at times, in spite of whatever incident in which I may find myself.
I have also learned that these spiritual disciplines can only be truly appreciated by one who has been born again. I cannot fathom praying such prayers, using such words of devotion as found in the Book of Common Prayer, having yet to be regenerated. What a burden! What a chore! What a sad, religious, mundane drudgery! What a hopeless desperation thinking that God is pleased with mere words uttered by rote! No, only the individual transformed by the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus can truly treasure the spiritual discipline of the Hours.
During Lent, almsgiving comes into focus as well. ChurchYear.Net explains:
The focus of Lent is its ultimate goal: appreciating the sacrifice of God in Christ through the Spirit for our sins, resulting in transformation and conformation to the image of Christ. We give up as God gave up -- He gave up His only Son so that whoever would believe in Him may not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). We give up as Christ gave up -- gave up His rightful position at God's right hand to suffer, die, and be raised to life for our justification and glorification (Phil. 2:8; Rom. 8:29-30; 10:9-10).
I will need to remind myself that sacrifice is costly as well as painful. If my self-denial this season costs me nothing, and does not cause my sinful nature grief, then my cross is too light, I am not denying myself, but am in denial about my true spiritual condition. With this, I anxiously, willingly, nervously walk into this Lent season for the love of God.
But lately I have been disappointed in my attempt to make the cross I am told to carry even lighter than it already is: "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light," said Jesus (Matt. 11:30 NRSV). Still, I all too often try to make Christ's yoke even easier, and His burden much, much more light. Enter the self-denying, self-examining season of Lent.
ChurchYear.Net explains that the purpose of Lent is to be
a season of fasting, self-denial, spiritual growth, conversion, and simplicity. Lent, which comes from the Teutonic (Germanic) word for springtime, can be viewed as a spiritual spring cleaning: a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our corporate and personal relationships with Jesus Christ and our service to him.Spring-cleaning my spiritual life seems a daunting task. No doubt, what I have chosen to fast may just be what the Lord longs for me to desire Him to be Lord over, suggesting yet one more area in my life that needs His grace and transformation. ChurchYear.Net states: "By giving these up, the person fasting learns to control a particular part of his or her life, which leads to greater self-discipline even when Lent is over." (link) That is my goal in observing this particular fast during this season of Lent -- the first Lent season I have ever observed.
Thus it is fitting that the season of Lent begin with a symbol of repentance: placing ashes mixed with oil on one's head or forehead. However, we must remember that our Lenten disciplines are supposed to ultimately transform our entire person: body, soul, and spirit, and help us become more like Christ. Eastern Christians call this process theosis, which St. Athanasius describes as "becoming by grace what God is by nature." [cf. Heb. 12:10; 2 Pet. 1:4]
There are a few basic tasks that traditionally have been associated with Lent. Many of these have a long history. These are fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. In addition, reading the Scriptures and the Church's Writings can help one grow during the season.
Self-discipline is one reason why I pray the Hours -- prayer being a significant spiritual component of the Lent season as well. This type of praying takes concentrated and intentional thought and does not rely upon my feelings or mood; I pray the Hours regardless of my circumstances. This teaches me how not to be led by my emotions but to pray, at times, in spite of whatever incident in which I may find myself.
I have also learned that these spiritual disciplines can only be truly appreciated by one who has been born again. I cannot fathom praying such prayers, using such words of devotion as found in the Book of Common Prayer, having yet to be regenerated. What a burden! What a chore! What a sad, religious, mundane drudgery! What a hopeless desperation thinking that God is pleased with mere words uttered by rote! No, only the individual transformed by the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus can truly treasure the spiritual discipline of the Hours.
During Lent, almsgiving comes into focus as well. ChurchYear.Net explains:
The best way to remove vice is to cultivate virtue. Lent has been a traditional time of helping the poor and doing acts of charity and mercy. While as Christians this is a year round calling, Lent is a good time to examine ways to get involved and to make resolutions to actually do them. Giving alms can be done in more ways than just giving out money to people on the street. It can be done by helping your family, friends, and neighbors out of tight situations or being more generous to hired help. However, one of the best ways to give alms is by volunteering for a charity. (link)Giving of ourselves, even in spending time with someone who may be lonely (I am thinking of several individuals in my community, actually), is equally as important as the giving of our money, since, perhaps, many people may have no money to give away at this time.
The focus of Lent is its ultimate goal: appreciating the sacrifice of God in Christ through the Spirit for our sins, resulting in transformation and conformation to the image of Christ. We give up as God gave up -- He gave up His only Son so that whoever would believe in Him may not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). We give up as Christ gave up -- gave up His rightful position at God's right hand to suffer, die, and be raised to life for our justification and glorification (Phil. 2:8; Rom. 8:29-30; 10:9-10).
I will need to remind myself that sacrifice is costly as well as painful. If my self-denial this season costs me nothing, and does not cause my sinful nature grief, then my cross is too light, I am not denying myself, but am in denial about my true spiritual condition. With this, I anxiously, willingly, nervously walk into this Lent season for the love of God.
Lent is a man made shadow of the law which although sometimes good intentioned, soothes the conscience and openly admits that sacrifice and a deepening of our discipleship can be reserved for a "season". These seasons are the "beggarly elements" and compromise the Covenant of the Spirit. It is more that curious that the RCC shares such events Paul describes as, "Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."
ReplyDeletePastor Rick,
DeleteDon't be offended, but you reminded me of why I'm no longer a Baptist. Thank you, friend. Believe it or not, I needed that reminder this evening.