WHAT IS THE SEASON OF LENT REALLY ABOUT?
For some Christians, the coming of Lent means preparing for some kind of fasting. These fasts typically take the form of abstaining from all or certain kinds of food on a particular day. In place of a food fast, some Christians commit to give up a pleasurable activity or take on some kind of charitable work or other added discipline. Our Lord recommends the Lenten disciplines of helping the needy, prayer, and fasting in Matthew 6:1-18. If Christians choose to “give up” something for Lent as a way to witness to the world the salvation Christ won for us by His suffering and death on the cross, then it is a commendable discipline that should be encouraged. However, it is essential to remember that nothing we do through fasting, self-denial, or good works can ever earn God’s forgiveness or “pay Him back” for what He accomplished for us. Lent is not about our giving up something to please God. Lent is about what Christ gave up to pay the penalty for our sins — His life. As many churches si
