Well, folks, let's open our Bibles, I am using the NKJV today and have a look at what the Word of God has to say about this whole business of repentance, fasting, and those things we see around us like Ash Wednesday and Lent. You know, as we go through the Scriptures studying and preaching verse by verse, we find that God isn't interested in a lot of religious show or seasonal ceremonies. He's after the heart.
I've been noticing, as many of you have, these pictures popping up online, celebrities with ashes smeared on their foreheads, talking about Lent, prayer, confession, and all that.
It's public, it's visible, and it often comes across like something to be seen by men rather than a quiet turning to God. Jesus warned us about that very thing in Matthew 6 He said, "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1). And when it comes to fasting, He put it plainly: Matthew 6:16-18 "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting... But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly"
You see, folks, Jesus didn't say "if you fast" ~ He said "when you fast." It's something that happens in the life of a believer, but not as a ritual on the calendar. Not something the church has to impose with ashes or 40 days of mandated denial.
In the New Testament church, we see simple devotion ~ teaching the Word, fellowship, breaking bread, prayers (Acts 2:42). No extra-biblical seasons required.
The early believers didn't mark their foreheads with ashes to start a Lent season, they rend their hearts before God daily, walking in the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.
Now, turn with me to Joel 2:12-13. God speaks through the prophet and says, "Now, therefore," says the Lord, "Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm".
Notice that, "rend your heart, and not your garments." God isn't looking for an outward show, tearing clothes or putting ashes on the head to look mournful. He's calling for a broken heart, a full turning to Him. Fasting really only comes into it when the burden is heavy, when you are so desperate for God to move, whether it's a spiritual battle, a loved one who's seriously ill, or souls that need saving.
You stop everything, deny the flesh, and cry out to the Lord with prayer and fasting. That's what brings power in the Spirit. As Jesus said about certain strongholds, "This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29).
I remember a teaching on this: fasting isn't about twisting God's arm or earning points. It's to humble yourself, starve the flesh so the spirit can feed and grow stronger.
When the need grips you, really grips you, you'll find yourself fasting naturally, not because some tradition says it's Lent time. And it's private, between you and the Father. No need to post it for the world to see.
In our ministry, I have always held to the simple things: teaching the Word verse by verse and, if an issue needs to be addressed, preaching or teaching on it. I always let the Spirit work and trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross.
Justification is by faith alone, grace alone. We don't add rituals or seasons that aren't in the New Testament. The Protestant stand, clear and firm, is to stick to Scripture alone. No additions that might cloud the gospel or turn worship into a ceremony.
So, my friends, if all this Ash Wednesday talk and those celebrity posts trouble your spirit, just come back to the Word.
Rend your heart today. Turn to the Lord with all you've got. Fast and pray when He burdens you, maybe for a family member in crisis, maybe for revival in your own life or in Scotland.
God is gracious, merciful, and slow to anger. He hears the cry of the humble.
The Lord blesses you as you walk with Him simply, humbly, and faithfully.
Keep your eyes on Jesus ~ He's coming soon!
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