Why should we just examine our conscious excessively to do good things at a particular time of the year? Why give up (candy, meat, smoking, movies, over eating, lack of exercise, lying etc.), for a couple of weeks in atonement and then go right back to doing the same thing afterwards, especially if that thing is not good for you.
The time frame that I am referring to is called “Lent”. It’s the time that is designated seven weeks before Easter (Christ’s Resurrection Day). The Lenten season has been appointed by some folks as a time to fast from specific sins like gluttony, slothfulness, laziness; doing and enjoying things, which are not good for the human body (smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages etc.). Where in the Bible is the season of “lent” specified? Prayer and fasting are two ways that we may atone for our sins, yet during Lent and the first of January (New Year’s Resolution time), people promise God not to commit a particular offense again for awhile; then they expect God to turn His head until they get it out of their system.
I’ve overheard people ask one another, “What are you giving up for Lent?” They offer up candy or another favorite food in order to get a sense of fulfillment when Easter Sunday rolls around.
The definition for Atonement is being sorry for sin (reconciliation of God and man). It’s the act of making a sacrifice to God by denying oneself. To do an act of atonement just because everyone else does it, will not make it a sacrifice to God.
Mardi Gras is another date for discussion. This is a time set aside to do all the sinning one can do before the season of “lent” kicks off. God help and have mercy on those persons who should die during a Mardi Gras celebration doing some immoral act; where would they open their eyes if they have not asked forgiveness of any sin they may have committed? Also what about Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases and the perversion that takes place during this so-called celebration? No, I have never participated in a Mardi Gras, but I do believe that consequences do happen according to what God’s word has to say (II Tim. 3:1-7).
Yes, I once called myself sacrificing something to God during the Lenten Season, yet I thank God that I don’t have to wait until a particular time of the year to get close to Our Lord and neither do you.
To read more - get the book: "Where Did That Come From?" by Ms. "V" (Victoria Thomas Poller)
The Top 5 Viewer Areas to Ms. "V"s Website for January 3 - January 9, 2012 are:
- Beijing, China
- San Francisco, CA
- Redmond, Washington
- Seattle, Washington
- Antwerp, Belgium
Happy New Year to all my readers. May this year be better than you've ever expected ;)
