Sermons/Discussions

“What to Give Up for Lent”

Article for the February 2005 edition of the Shepherd's Pen

The Rev. Matt Kennedy

The Church of the Good Shepherd

 “What to give up for Lent?”

That question may be playing at the back of your mind, as it is in mine.

“I’ll give up chocolate!“

“I’ll stop watching television!”

“No more surfing the net!”

“I’ll lose fifteen pounds” (…for Jesus of course)

Or, as has become fashionable, you might be wondering what good work or spiritual discipline to add to your daily or weekly routine.

“I’ll go to morning prayer every day!”

“I’ll start attending a bible study!”

“I’ll start a really painful exercise regimen to atone for my sins.” (…and lose fifteen pounds…uh…for Jesus)

Maybe we should step back for a moment and think this whole thing through.

What is the purpose a Lenten discipline anyway?

As you know if you’ve spent any time at all in a church that celebrates Lent, Lent has everything to do with repentance. Which, in turn, brings up the question: “What is repentance and why should we do it?”

Let me address the “why” first.

If you take the time to read through any of the gospels (a great Lenten discipline by the way) you’ll notice that one of Jesus’ most favorite sayings was “Repent for the kingdom of Heaven is near.” Jesus was, in fact, rather keen on the whole idea of repentance and he thought that everyone should be doing it.

Jesus told a story once about two men praying in the Temple. One was a very religious man, an outwardly devout Jew and the other was a tax collector (tax collectors were considered traitors back then because they worked with the Roman government; earning their living by taxing their own people far above the required rate). In any case, the two men both went to the Temple to pray. The devout man stood and looked up into heaven and began to thank God that he was such a righteous follower of the law. I'll paraphrase, “Thank you Lord for making me so wonderful, so holy, so loyal to you and to my country, so darn good looking, not like that dirty nasty sinful tax-collector over there…” and he went on praying.

Meanwhile the tax collector was way back in the back and he was so aware of the things he had done wrong that he wouldn’t even lift up his head. Instead he simply said, “Lord, have mercy on me and forgive me, a sinner.”

When Jesus finished telling the story he looked at his disciples and said, “I tell you the Truth, this tax collector went home justified rather than the other man; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)

Here’s the point. We are all, each and every one of us sinners. By our thoughts, words, and deeds we have broken God’s holy law. There is no difference between people who go to church every Sunday and those who do not. We have, as Paul says, “all have sinned and all have fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

That means there’s no room in the church or beyond for a prideful attitude like the “devout” man in the story Jesus told.

If you’re a believer, then your sins, if not dealt with through repentance, can lead to a rupture in your relationship with God. Because you are a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, you will never be cut off from the love of God. Your salvation is assured on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice on your behalf (Romans 8:31-39). Nevertheless, if you remain unrepentant you will be disciplined (Hebrews 12:4-8). Like a good Father, God loves you too much to let you fall into harmful habits of thought speech or behavior. If you do not repent, he will intervene because he wants only good things for his children.

If you are a non-believer and you’ve never repented and surrendered your life to Jesus Christ then your sins will keep you separated from God forever. Sin is deadly. Through sin, physical and spiritual death holds sway over the human heart. Spiritual death is real. Hell is real (but don‘t take my word for it, take his: Matt 25:41-46). It is the destiny of all those who do not repent and call on the name of Jesus Christ. As Peter said in the book of Acts, “There is only one name given under heaven through which all must be saved and that name is Jesus Christ” (Acts 4:12). Repentance for you means hope and salvation. If you repent and ask Jesus into your life, He will take away the eternal consequences of your sin (he died in your place on the cross) and come make his home in your heart; giving you a new life that will last eternally. (Romans 3:21-24; 10:10-13)

So 1. both believers and non-believers are sinners. 2. Sin has consequences. Thus, 3. both believers and non-believers have a very good reason to heed Jesus’ call to repent.

Which leads us to the second part of the question: what is repentance?

The word “repentance” comes from the Greek word “metanoia.” Metanoia literally means “to turn around and go the other way.” And that, simply stated, is the perfect description of repentance. When you sin you turn away from God. Repentance turns you around. It’s much more than just feeling sorry for doing wrong (although that is the place to start). It’s an active transformation; a commitment to do, to act, to move in accordance with God’s will rather than against it.

And that is where the whole idea of a Lenten discipline comes in.

For believers, Lent can be a time when you actively work to rid yourself of sins that have grown into habits and/or addictions (yes, this should be something we do all year round but it’s helpful to have a time like Lent set aside for that very purpose).

So, rather than thinking about what vice to give up or what discipline to add, a better place to start is prayer. Ask God to search your heart and bring to your mind those habits of thought, word, and/or deed that displease him most. (Sometimes what is displeasing in your life will be so obvious that you won’t even need to pray, you’ll just know. The Holy Spirit living inside you will have made it abundantly clear already). When you ask this in sincerity you can be sure that God will provide you with an answer.

This answer will tell you whether you need to add a discipline or be rid of a behavior or attitude. If, for example you believe that God wants you to be more committed to studying scripture, then you should probably consider adding personal or group bible study to your routine. If on the other hand you believe God is displeased with the amount of time you spend on the internet or the kinds of things you look at on-line, then you should probably consider cutting out or down on your computer usage or installing some parental control program to keep you accountable (even if, especially if, you’re a parent).

In other words, your Lenten discipline should not be arbitrary. If you have a problem with lust, don’t give up chocolate. Give up whatever it is that leads you into lustful behavior. And don’t just give it up for Lent, use Lent to give it up forever. Let the Lord know that you are committed to turning from the sin he has shown you and then ask him to help you in your task though the power of his Holy Spirit.

If you are not a believer then you don’t just need to turn around a habit or an attitude. God is calling you to turn your life around. He loves you so much that he sent his Son Jesus Christ to die in your place. Through Jesus, God is offering you the opportunity to be forgiven and made clean. No more guilt, no more burden, no more despair. In Jesus Christ you will have life and have it abundantly. It’s your choice. If you’re tired of living life apart from God, then let him know. You can say it like this:

"Lord Jesus I am a sinner. I’m lost and on my own I can’t find my way home. But you died on the cross to save me from the eternal consequences of my sins and today, this very moment, I repent and I put my life in your hands. I want to be with you forever. Come into my heart Lord Jesus and make your home there. I give my life to you. I pray this in your holy Name. Amen."


If you pray that prayer or one like it and mean it sincerely, then though still a sinner you will be free from the eternal consequences of your sins and God will come to you and make his home in your heart. From that moment on, you’ll know the deep joy of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the One through whom and for whom you were created.

Well, this article is much longer than it was intended to be (shocker) and I certainly hope it makes it past my various editors. In any case, my prayer is that you’ll use this season of lent to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ through a true “metanoia,” a true change of direction leading you further into the arms of the God who loves and created you.

May God bless and keep you throughout this Lenten season.

In Christ,

Matt+