The Period Of Lent (Al Sandlin)

“Lent, period of fasting and penitence traditionally observed by Christians in preparation for Easter. The length of the Lenten fast, during which observants eat sparingly, was established in the 4th century as 40 days. In the Eastern churches, where both Saturdays and Sundays are regarded as festival days, the period of Lent is the eight weeks before Easter; in the Western churches, where only Sunday is regarded as a festival, the 40-day period begins on Ash Wednesday and extends, with the omission of Sundays, to the day before Easter."

"The observance of fasting or other forms of self-denial during Lent varies within Protestant and Anglican churches. These bodies emphasize penitence. The Roman Catholic church has in recent years relaxed its laws on fasting. According to an apostolic constitution issued by Pope Paul VI in February 1966, fasting and abstinence during Lent are obligatory only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.” [Funk & Wagnalls, 1994).

Isn't it interesting that beginning this week many so-called Christians will subject themselves to this ritual imposed through the traditions of men? One can search the Bible from cover to cover and will find absolutely nothing about Lent therein. I categorically deny that any Christian observes any of the holidays mentioned in the quoted article above. A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 8:31, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” A Christian, then, will not participate in Lent, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Easter, nor Christmas for nothing in the doctrine of Jesus Christ even hints at such. You will notice, please, that the practice of Lent “...was established in the 4th century...”

The doctrine of Jesus Christ was established in the first century. He promised His disciples: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). “...for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:15). “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come” (John 16:13).

First century adherents to the doctrine of Jesus Christ had everything revealed unto them pertaining to life and godliness. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (II Peter 1:3). “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3).

You will observe that in both of these passages that the faith and all things pertaining to life and godliness is spoken of as having been delivered and given — both in the past tense. I affirm to you that Jesus did what He said He would do: He sent the Holy Spirit Who revealed all truth to the apostles. Having delivered all truth, that left none to be delivered at a future time!

If indeed the Holy Spirit delivered all truth unto the apostles as the Lord Jesus Christ promised that He would, then the Lenten season and all its trappings are excluded from truth for nothing is revealed in scripture concerning such.

Now, I want you to notice that before the apostle Paul's pen ran out of ink, the Holy Spirit inspired him to write this to Timothy: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth” (I Timothy 4:1-3). I refer to the above quoted article and notice that those who participate in the practice of Lent eat sparingly. In a recent civic club meeting, a man of prominence in the community who is also Catholic made mention of the fact that meat was a forbidden menu item during Lent. Now, please look at I Timothy 4:1 again — “...some shall depart from the faith...commanding to abstain from meats...”

There's a difference between choosing to abstain from meats and being commanded to abstain from meats. Abstinence from meats as a tenet of Christianity is not found in the doctrine of Jesus Christ. I know of decrees of men requiring such but not in the doctrine of Jesus Christ. “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17).

Participation in man made traditions and calling it Christianity is a perversion of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:6-9). Those who are guilty of such are themselves accursed before God. To participate in Lent, Ash Wednesday, Easter, Christmas and call it Christianity is ludicrous. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (II John 9-11).

There are some noteworthy consequences to following after the traditions of men. As seen in the preceding passages, one is without God's endorsement in the matter. Jesus said it is tantamount to setting aside the commands of God. Furthermore, one's worship becomes vain when the doctrines and traditions of men are blended with the gospel of Jesus Christ. “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do."

"And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: but ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye” (Mark 7:6-13).

If you would be saved eternally do only that which is found in the doctrine of Christ. “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

Lessons From The Ark (Author Unknown)

1. Don't miss the boat.

2. Don't forget that we're all in the same boat.

3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.

4. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something REALLY big.

5. Don't listen to critics, just get on with what has to be done.

6. Build your future on high ground.

7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

8. Two heads are better than one.

9. Speed isn't always an advantage; the snails were on board with the cheetahs.

10. When you're stressed, float awhile.

11. Remember that the ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic was built by professionals.

12. Remember that woodpeckers inside are a larger threat than the storm outside.

13. No matter the storm, when you're with God there's a rainbow waiting.

14. Don't forget when alligators are snapping at you ankles, your mission is to get the wood to build the ark.