Although I can appreciate the intent of Lent fasting, I am not an observer. Someone will have to convince me that suffering the loss of sugar for 5 ½ weeks is tantamount to the travail of Jesus. Admittedly, it is easier to skip a meal every day for a month than “pick up your cross daily!” Our highest call, according to Paul, is to be conformed to Christ's death (Phil 3:10; 1 Pet. 4:1).
The true disciple's fast is not seasonal—but a lifetime of daily self-denial. Fasting one’s self is Jesus' mandated method for attaining more of His life and vitality. Has anyone ever died from this fast? Yes. Paul did: I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20). But, listen to this: if we die with Him, we shall live like kings with Him (2 Tim 2:11-12, edited).
That's the pure and liberating gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. This and nothing else provides the life He has promised to give us, only if we are willing to die -something He already did for us on the Cross: let's appropiate it by faith. Romans 6:6--.
ReplyDeleteHe is our bread, the Bread of Life. Our fast is eating Jesus daily. Our death to self, not giving the carnal nature his food, implies automatically giving the new nature his food, i.e. the Word of Life. When we fast our self it shows, we can put then our new clothes: humility, gentleness, patience, faith, love, goodness, peace, longsuffering, self-control, it looks so good as we look on the mirror. :)
Thank you Greg, these words are Spirit and they are life. Only the Truth has the power to liberate us and make us men and women worthy of His name. Amen.
Thank you Patricia. It seems you are quiet ready for Easter! You are a year-round Lenter!!
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