Why Don't We Observe Lent?

I was raised going to church every Sunday and accepted Jesus as my personal Savior when seven. I would hear Catholics talking about Lent and signs about it on some Lutheran churches too but our church never said anything about it and I wondered why. My understanding is that it is a tradition that is done in preparation for Easter that involves giving something up as a sacrifice. My mom told me that the bad habits some people give up for Lent, we give up all the time such as smoking and drinking.

I don’t see where in the scripture this is commanded or even requested. On the other hand, I do see that according to Romans 12:1-2, we should present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service and be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. This, I believe, is the sacrifice God wants all the time—not just during Lent.



I had the privilege of teaching about Jesus’ crucifixion last Sunday in my Sunday School class and was reminded again while watching the clip from the JESUS film of how much God loves me. Jesus willingly went through an agonizing death, taking the punishment for my sin so I could live forever with Him in heaven for all eternity! I am so glad I received Jesus as my Savior by asking Him to forgive me and come into my life to help me live for him. My life changed that day—I became a new creature in Christ with a purpose to do His will, not mine and a desire to please Him in all I do.

I thank God that I can truthfully say Galatians 2:20 (KJV):

I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

What about you? Life is so short compared to eternity, yet what we do with Jesus affects where we spend all eternity. Have you accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for your sin and received Him as your Savior? I hope so!