Lenten Blessings to You from God

Newsletter article for March 2001

© 2001 by Rev. Paul A. Wolff

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Lent is a time where some Christians fast or give up something cherished (usually a food) in order to grow in their Spiritual life. Others may use this time as a convenient time to go on a diet and lose some excess weight. The temptation in either case is to rely on the strength of our own willpower and determination to see us through the tough times to the end. If we succumb to the temptation it is obviously sinful because if we succeed in our fast then we will take the credit for ourselves, rather than praising God for His grace and strength.

If we truly wish to grow Spiritually then we may wish to heed the message of 2 Tim. 3:16 (above). God does want us to train ourselves in righteousness and good works, but the tool He has given us to use is not our own strength of will, but Holy Scripture. The Holy Scriptures are not primarily a rule book, above all they tell us about how God has saved us from our sins through the obedient life and innocent death of Jesus Christ. However, the Holy Bible does also teach us the things that God wants us to do in our lives (summarized by the Ten Commandments). Scripture also rebukes us or reprimands us when we disobey God’s commands, and it corrects our erring ways. Then Scripture can also train us in righteousness by illuminating the right path that God wishes us to walk (Psalm 119:105).

It is enough for our salvation to hear God’s word and believe it. Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16) But God also wants our lives to be filled with His blessings, and free from the consequences of sin. Our lives will never be completely free from sin, but God wants to fill our lives with His love so that we may be a blessing to others and also lead them to eternal salvation in Christ. One day when someone tried to exalt His mother for having given birth to Him, Jesus replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28)

Since God’s Word is so important for not only bringing us eternal salvation in Christ, but also for guiding our actions along a God-pleasing path, then perhaps it would be beneficial to you this Lenten season to devote some time each day to studying God’s Word. The potential benefits are much greater than if you just relied on self-determination to go without a cherished food item. However, if you also wish to have a fast this Lent, then perhaps you will also be strengthened in this task through God’s Word, and the work of the Holy Spirit through His Word. Then when you are finished you will almost certainly be strengthened in your faith and you will give greater praise and glory to God.

As you study God’s Word here is something from the Formula of Concord (Article XI § 12) which may be good to keep in mind: “All Scripture, inspired by God should minister not to security and impenitence but ‘to reproof, correction, and improvement.’ Furthermore, everything in the Word of God is written down for us, not for the purpose of thereby driving us to despair but in order that ‘by steadfastness, by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.’ From this it is beyond all doubt that the true understanding or the right use of the teaching of God’s eternal foreknowledge will in no way cause or support either impenitence or despair. So, too, Scripture presents this doctrine in no other way than to direct us thereby to the Word, to admonish us to repent, to urge us to godliness, to strengthen our faith and to assure us of our salvation.”

May God bless your Lenten devotions.