Should we observe Lent?

JM · Feb 10, 2018

I've been pretty disillusioned with the Baptist church in general lately and have been attending an Anglican Church. This year I will observe Lent with the rest of the congregation (and pretty much the rest of the Christian world).

Should we observe Lent?

Why or why not?

Yours in the Lord,

jm

seeking.IAM · Feb 10, 2018

An oft used Anglican mantra seems to apply: All may, some should, none must. I find it a good spiritual discipline, a time of reflection, renewal, and focus on the sacrifice of our Lord. I observe a Lenten fast. Every time I find myself longing for something I have given up for Lent, I am reminded of His sacrifice and how small and trivial mine is in comparison.

Ancient of Days · Feb 10, 2018

You should do it not because its a season that others are doing it but because you want to please God. As always check your motives.

HereIStand · Feb 10, 2018

Since I was raised Baptist, a season of Lent has been something new. It can be an aid to faith. No one should feel compelled to observe it though.

~Anastasia~ · Feb 10, 2018

If you don't mind my point of view, the purpose of Lenten fasting is neither to please God nor simply as a required observance. It is a spiritual discipline. Done correctly, there can be tremendous benefit - more than I ever could have imagined before going through it, and it is different each time for me. But always beneficial.

The point of it being on the calendar and part of the Church cycle is several things. Going through it as a community strengthens bonds of solidarity, which a community should always look to helping everyone among them spiritually. It ensures that we will attend to ourselves regularly, if we tend to be lax otherwise. And it is glorious preparation for the celebration of the Resurrection - experiencing depths of repentance and awareness of our need for God makes us even more appreciate what Christ did for us, and increases our love for Him.

But as a legalistic thing, an attempt to please God through our actions, or a simple going through the motions because now is when we are supposed to do it will rob all of that, to greater or lesser degree.

It's the best tool we have, so yes, I could wish everyone would do it. But not all would do it in the right way (this isn't a dig - Orthodox can do it wrongly as well) ... so for some it might not benefit.

Andy centek · Feb 10, 2018

JM said:
I've been pretty disillusioned with the Baptist church in general lately and have been attending an Anglican Church. This year I will observe Lent with the rest of the congregation (and pretty much the rest of the Christian world).

Should we observe Lent?

Why or why not?

Yours in the Lord,

jm

Andy centek · Feb 10, 2018

JM:

Should you partake of lint? Or any other Denomination thing that man creates? I could tell you not to do it; which I feel is spiritually correct. However, what I think doesn't really matter. What the Lord said to do is what one has to do if they desire to follow Him and not man's ways.
The apostle Paul was the apostle appointed to take the message of the New Testament to the Gentile word, that being, Christ crucified for the remission of sins. Is there anything that man can do more than Jesus Christ did to please God? In no way! As for me, I chose to follow what the Holy Spirit teaches, not man. The Holy Spirit never says anything about following the things that man creates to follow; He shows to follow the things related to God's word only. This then becomes a choice for each individual to make; follow God or follow man.

Those who seek the follow after the way of Jesus Christ will be given whatever is needed to complete their walk with him. Those who chose to follow man will be rewarded with what man is rewarded with at the judgment time.

Pray and ask for help from the Holy Spirit if you trulu are seeking to walk with God and His Christ.

Andy Centek

Catherineanne · Feb 10, 2018

JM said:
I've been pretty disillusioned with the Baptist church in general lately and have been attending an Anglican Church. This year I will observe Lent with the rest of the congregation (and pretty much the rest of the Christian world).

Should we observe Lent?

Why or why not?

Yours in the Lord,

jm

I was always told that we get out of Easter what we put into Lent.

That is one reason why.

Catherineanne · Feb 10, 2018

Andy centek said:
JM:

Should you partake of lint? Or any other Denomination thing that man creates? I could tell you not to do it; which I feel is spiritually correct. However, what I think doesn't really matter. What the Lord said to do is what one has to do if they desire to follow Him and not man's ways.
The apostle Paul was the apostle appointed to take the message of the New Testament to the Gentile word, that being, Christ crucified for the remission of sins. Is there anything that man can do more than Jesus Christ did to please God? In no way! As for me, I chose to follow what the Holy Spirit teaches, not man. The Holy Spirit never says anything about following the things that man creates to follow; He shows to follow the things related to God's word only. This then becomes a choice for each individual to make; follow God or follow man.

Those who seek the follow after the way of Jesus Christ will be given whatever is needed to complete their walk with him. Those who chose to follow man will be rewarded with what man is rewarded with at the judgment time.

Pray and ask for help from the Holy Spirit if you trulu are seeking to walk with God and His Christ.

Andy Centek

The Lord spent 40 days in the wilderness after his baptism. Lent is our way of following him into the wilderness for our 40 days (plus Sundays), and spending time with God as he did.

This is not, therefore, a man made creation. It is directly following the example of the Lord himself.

You can choose to do likewise or not, but this is 100% a Biblical practice.

JM · Feb 12, 2018

A thank you to all for your input.

Paidiske · Feb 17, 2018

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JM · Mar 2, 2018

What I have Learned So Far

~Anastasia~ · Mar 2, 2018

JM said:
What I have Learned So Far

I really enjoyed reading this. A chuckle or two - I can certainly relate to the revelations received through fasting.

Very glad for you!

And hope you're fully recovered from the flu.

God be with you!

JM · Mar 2, 2018

I am feeling better thank you.

Mary of Bethany · Mar 29, 2018

JM said:
What I have Learned So Far

I really enjoyed poking around your blog and reading about your experiences in the Anglican parish you are attending. As you may know, as a former traditional Anglican, I have a soft spot in my heart for Anglican forms of worship and prayer.

Thank you for sharing that.

JM · Mar 29, 2018

Thank you.

More to come, stay tuned!

St. Helens · May 2, 2018

I had never really heard much about Lent until I moved to the midwest. Then I was invited to Lenten dinners by my friends. Now I use it as a time to reflect on what Jesus did on our behalf. I cut out the soda pop and the candy during this time. I tend to go overboard on the soda pop.

JM · May 2, 2018

I think it's important to hit re-set on your conversation in this world and Lent helped me realize that. Would I do it again? I don't know. I should probably fast more often and give more than I do already but keeping it as a season every year? I don't know.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

Should we observe Lent?

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