Lent

[Guest Biblicist]

*tongue and cheek*

Lent is in the Bible. . .

sha'al {shaw-al'} or sha'el {shaw-ale'}

1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg

a) (Qal)

1) to ask, ask for

2) to ask (as a favour), borrow

3) to enquire, enquire of

4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle)

5) to seek

b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence

c) (Piel)

1) to enquire, enquire carefully

2) to beg, practise beggary

d) (Hiphil)

1) to be given on request 2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to

It's in verses, Exodus 12:36; Deuteronomy 23:19; 1 Samuel 1:28 & 2:20; Jeremiah 15:10

[angels4u]

Saved by grace

(Ephesians 2:8-9) - "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, that no one should boast."

(Rom. 3:20,28) - "because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin...28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law."

(Galatians 2:16) - "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."

Saved by works

(James 2:24) - "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone."

(Matthew 19:1617) - "And behold, one came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" 17And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments

If you want to show your love for Jesus tell other people about Him and adore Him,give Him YOU

[IreneM]

I can see no reason to to gived up any thing

Jesus paid the price for me

He died that I might live

it is a free gift I did nothing to earn it and can do nothing to earn it or pay for it

no I will not give up anything for lent

IreneM

[Fiosh]

You folks that are so hung up on "works" being a bad thing better spend more time studying Scripture. Jesus doesn't just ask that we love Him. He demands alot more in terms of how we demonstrate that love.

As for fasting, Jesus addresses that too:

Mark 2: 18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

Mar 2:19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Mar 2:20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

I eagerly await my bridegroom!

Peace,

Fiosh

[Pilgrim7]

I gave up lent.

Now as to self denial, which is a full time Christian characteristic:

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Ro 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove (demonstrate in your life) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

God bless,

Dennis

[Iryssa]

Okay, I really don't think anyone read my posts. That's great.

[Fiosh]

Hi CSlewis,

Why are you thinking to give up to use the Internet?

What do you gain by works?

Do you think it will please the Lord seeing you making this sacrifice or would he be more happy to get more of you?

Jesus died for our sins and thats why He is giving us eternal life with Him.

Why not go in your prayer closet and get closer to God instead of decieving yourself that you are a better person by adding to your Salvation?

For by grace are you saved and not by anything you can do

Just enjoy of who you are in Jesus ..

You are right I add nothing to my salvation, absolutely I am sorry if piety came across the wrong way. Lent is a personal thing: I am right now in a dark time in my life- there are many weeds that need cutting down; Lent is a time were we aknowledge that we are ashes. And prepare our hearts for Easter. The internet though is a great thing- it is something that I have noticed has been consuming alot of time. I feel like I need to slow down. Buy some stamps (do they still make these things?) and pray. I am in what could be the final stages of a divorce (the court date is right after Easter) and I need to make sure that I allow the Lord to take all lust, anger, and sin out of my heart before I go into that courtroom. The internet is a big distraction (I already killed the TV)

No You didn't CS. However I have never observed Lent. I view it as works too but that is just my opinion.

Yes, it might be a work...but no one's saying we're saved just by works. Besides, what, exactly, is wrong with works unless we ARE saying they alone save you (which, I repeat, we are NOT)?? After all, it says in James (2:20-24):

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

I read it, Iyrssa, and I agree with you.

[Iryssa]

Thanks Fiosh...at least someone loves me *exaggerated sniffle*

[Fiosh]

Thanks Fiosh...at least someone loves me *exaggerated sniffle*

[Scarletprayers]

Thanks Fiosh...at least someone loves me *exaggerated sniffle*

I read the whole thread also, I've never "done" lent before...............but this is making me think about it!