Giving up something for Lent

No, we do not need to give up anything for Lent.  While the Roman Catholic Church has pronounced when meat is and is not be eaten, the Bible says such teachings are not from God.  “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.  Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.  They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.  For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:1-5).  “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.  These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (Colossians 2:16-17).

In Christian freedom you and I can give up anything—in Lent or any time of the year—if that is beneficial to our faith.  There is always a danger in thinking that giving up something contributes to our salvation.  We reject such thinking and look to Jesus alone for our salvation.

The February 2015 “Light for our path” column touched on your question.  You can access the column via this link.

During Lent and every season of the year, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).