Symbolism is defined as a “representation”. Or in other words, it has a “likeness” but is NOT the real thing. It is going through the motions of doing something. It is pretending to do something in order to cause others to believe that you are religious and dedicated. Yet not actually, truly, genuinely making the necessary adjustments in one’s life. Notice what Jesus says about some religious folks of his day.
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
When you read this entire chapter, you will find that Jesus is very hard on these pretenders. He says that they do not truly care about what God wants, But that they are only doing it to be seen of men. Much of what you hear from people, as it pertains to Lent, is that they are giving up soda, chocolate, sweets, coffee, meat, or some sort of worldly pleasure that in and of itself has nothing to do with being a servant of God. Giving up sweets, giving up caffeine, giving up any of these types of things does NOT improve one’s Christianity. As a matter of fact, Jesus says this about a related topic
Matthew 15:16-19 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? (17) Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? (18) But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
So if food doesn’t defile us, What does? Jesus gives us a hint in this verse. Those things that proceed from the heart! What really defiles us is SIN!
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
That is why the Bible speaks so much about Repentance! Repentance is a recognition of the danger, harm and the punishment of sin. And it is a change of mind that should cause us to conclude that the former life of sin is one that must be abandoned! It must be abandoned because it is contrary to our well being and separates us from God.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Paul describes genuine christian living as not being influenced by this present evil world, But rather having a “Renewing of our minds” that will cause us to present our lives as a living sacrifice. That living sacrifice is a lifestyle change! It’s a behavior change! It’s a change in the way we approach the rest of our lives!
Romans 6:12-18 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (13) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (15) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. (16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
We must NOT allow sin to control our lives. But rather we are to be the servants of Jesus. That is a decision to be made. And a life to be lived. At that point, we must replace our own WILL with the will of God!
The concept of Lent, that we are to give up something, is noble. But we will not be saved by good intentions. We will not be saved by making symbolic religious gestures. We will not be saved by going through the motions of being Christians. While we will not be saved by repentance alone, We can and will be saved however, by repenting of ALL sin in our lives as it contributes to following the entirety of God’s plan of salvation for mankind.
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Reflecting His SON,
Dennis Hogan
Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ
North Hardin Church of Christ
1804 Sam Stewart Dr.
Radcliff, KY 40160
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