Observing Lent

The recent observances of times such as Advent and Lent among Southern Baptists is disturbing. (The Alabama Baptist, Feb. 24 issue.) 

Paul in his letter to the Galatians lists the observing of days as a sign of weak faith (Gal. 4:9). In his letter to the Colossians he warns the Gentile Christians not to let anyone judge them in regard to such things as “new moons” (see: Lent or “holy days,” Col. 2:16). Reliance on such things for spiritual growth reveals a lack of satisfaction with Christ. It seeks to place the free people of God under a type of law whereby they can attempt to become more mature in the faith by observances. If the feasts of Jehovah are “weak and beggarly” compared to the fullness of life found in Christ, how much moreso are the manmade feasts started by the sacramental churches “weak and beggarly?”

One Southern Baptist pastor said recently that not using “this time of Lent” to meditate on the Lord’s suffering was a “sin.” The Bible has given us a time to reflect on the Lord’s suffering, the Lord’s Supper. It is there that we “show forth the Lord’s death (1 Cor. 11:26),” not during a manmade “holy season” in which we judge our fellow Christians and/or place ourselves under some law of “giving up something for Lent” (and by doing so we seek to be made perfect in the flesh). When Southern Baptists start looking to the false churches for new ideas then surely we are headed for trouble. As for me, I am satisfied with Christ and the Scriptures.

Michael Scotto
Marion, Ala.

Editor’s Note — There is a difference between trusting in certain observances to make one right with God and using the Christian calendar to guide one’s devotional life.