To Lent or Not to Lent: that is a question worth asking

Joe's wife asked Joe about Lent. Joe confessed that he is not informed enough to make a solid decision for his family to practice it for it is not commanded in Scripture and the Apostles are not seen practicing it (that's Joe's hermeneutic for regulating esse qua non Christian and Church practices). But Joe does not think it should be forbidden. Joe can imagine how it could be used profitably. But here are some thoughts about considering the practice of Lent and preaching of the gospel.

Be careful that one does not think their sacrifice merits God's favor. This seems especially easy for unregenerate folks to do, for it is their native operating system of thinking about salvation. This is also something that children naturally think.

Be explicit with teaching justification by faith alone during Lent. In order to make the gospel clear in the minds of those practicing Lent for Christ's sake, the gospel must be explicit. Implicit church liturgy, tradition, and calendars are only beneficial to those who have received explicit instruction on the gospel of Christ. And even to those persons the explicit gospel needs constant restatements. This is much more vital than the actual practice of giving up something to prepare for thinking about Christ's coming. Clarification about repentance as opposed to penance is something parents would want to teach their children through lent. Being declared righteous by God on the basis of faith in Christ is something that many who practice Lent do not understand. Protestants should not make this mistake possible due to their lack of explicit teaching on the gospel of justification by faith alone.

Be explicit with teaching justification by Christ alone during Lent. Lent, if anything, is a focus upon Christ. It is not making oneself worthy of redemption. It is not washing oneself up for Christ. It is not a spiritual attention getter of God. It must move one toward Christ and faith in him if it is at all Christian. Traditions without teaching are fodder for self-righteous, hollow religious persons and organizations. Preaching and teaching and talking about being righteous on the basis of Christ alone is necessary to understand for Lent to be of any profit. Christ has come. Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christus Victor has no message but trust in him alone be declared righteous by the Father. Protestants should make this explicit.

Be explicit with teaching justification by grace alone during Lent. The spring-loaded hermeneutic of man with grace is that something about him or something that he has done makes God come to him with whatever understanding of redemption his mind conceives. This is not true and if Lent is Christian, it should repel this notion not foster it. Teaching during Lent that one is made righteous in God's sight on the basis of God's grace to them pulls the rug out from their self-righteous religion's feet. If divine grace alone is not taught to be the foundation for the sinner's acceptance on Christ's meritorious death and resurrection then one ought not be surprised if some come to think of their actions in Lent as the opposite of justification on the basis of divine grace alone.

There's no law against Lent nor one for it. It can be done profitably if it is in concert with and connected with an explicit teaching of the gospel of the Christ it is intended to magnify.

My days are full. But full of good things. The day begins early with my sweet husband bringing me a cup of coffee to get me going. My time of reading and prayer is mingled with the sound of little ones waking. The two youngest are jabbering back and forth. I imagine they are planning out their day. Who is going to dump the megablocks out first? What is for breakfast? Why have they not come and gotten us yet? The oldest snoozes away savoring his sleep. Then it starts. Cooking, feeding, wiping, changing, wiping, washing, teaching, sweeping, wiping, correcting, folding, washing, teaching, correcting....and so on. I have complained in my heart at the work, and I am sure my husband and children can attest to my grumbling. The Lord has been gracious to convict me of my sin and remind me of His purposes for me. This is what I was made for! My Creator has made me a wife and mother. He has ordained my days to be spent praising Him through the work that He has given me at home. What a privilege.

"A mother builds something far more magnificent than any cathedral-the dwelling place for an immortal soul (both the child's fleshly tabernacle and his earthly abode). No professional pursuit so uniquely combines the most menial tasks with the most meaningful opportunities." Dorothy Patterson