Four steps make Lent more meaningful
Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Text: “… Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I BEAT MY BODY AND MAKE IT MY SLAVE so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:26-27. General observations convince us that one has to struggle to keep the negative under control and strive to promote the positive:
– If you leave your garden alone, the flowers will be choked by the weeds;
– If you will not protect a piece of iron with paint, rust will destroy it;
– If you leave the food on the table for a longer period, it will spoil;
– If a child is not trained and corrected, he/she will become uncivilized.
Lent is the time when we look into ourselves and wish to control whatever is unfavorable while doing our best to improve whatever is beneficial. Please read Philippians 4:8
THE VARIOUS VERSIONS CAN COME CLOSER TO THE TRUTH BUT CANNOT EXPRESS IT COMPLETELY.
– “But I keep under my body, and bring it to subjection,” King James Version;
– “But I pommel my body and subdue it,” New Revised Standard Version;
– “I really fight! I am my body’s sternest master,” Phillips Modern Version;
– “I treat my body hard and make it obey me,” Jerusalem Bible;
– “I bruise my own body and make it know its master,” New English Bible;
– “But I discipline my body and make it my slave,” New American Standard Bible.
Knowing the context of the passage and the meanings of the original Greek words, we can agree that the main point here is not self-created pain but getting ready for a service that requires total devotion and obedience.
FASTING IS NOT “SELF-TORTURE” BUT MAKING ONESELF SUITABLE FOR SERVICE.
Knowing how courageous, dedicated, untiring, intelligent and faithful Apostle Paul was, we can say it with certainty that his primary goal had been service and not self-inflicted pain. He needed all the energy, time and effort to organize churches, to preach and to spread the good news.
As we ask what Apostle Paul had done, and hoping to follow his example, can we make ourselves suitable for service? If the answer is yes, then how?
1. TO RECOGNIZE WHAT IS OUT OF CONTROL. We can also say: to notice what is harmful, to be careful not be carried away, to know where the limit is. Here, the world and our faith do not agree. The world can say, “Everything is all right, and if there are some problems they can be easily corrected.” In contrast to this, the Bible says, “You are sinners, you need forgiveness and help, and your own ability is insufficient.” Please read Romans 7:14-25.
2. After one knows what is unfavorable, then IT SHALL BE ISOLATED. This is easier to say than to do because in life things are complicated and overlap. It is hard for a surgeon to cut out the tumor only and leave healthy tissues untouched. Without serious self-examination, this isolation cannot be done.
3. When the undesirable is isolated, can WE NEUTRALIZE IT? Are you victim to the force of habit? Knowledge without moral willpower is like a car without brakes. The more forceful the invasion, the stronger the defense should be.
4. The last step is to TRANSFORM THE NEGATIVE INTO POSITIVE. This is the final and utmost goal of fasting. Just to refuse food and drink and lose some weight does not mean much (in most cases the doctors recommend the same); however, when the energy to keep the temptations under control is freed and transformed into positive action, then we did what is right.
Listen again to apostle Paul: “I appeal to you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice. … Do not be conformed to this world but BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is the will of God . . .” Romans 12:1-2.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.