Lent 3 - The Basis for a Holy Lent

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 The Day of the Lord is Coming

I'm not much of a Hellfire and Brimstone preacher. It's most likely related to my own aversion to that style of motivation. In fact, I don't find it all that appealing or motivating; at least not the "in your face", finger-pointing, "look at how bad you are" kind of way. Yet I am moved and motivated by the promise in scripture that "the day of the Lord is coming, it is near." (Joel 2:1c) (Sometimes promises don't have positive outcomes!)

Now, I'm not afraid of the "day of the Lord," because I have placed my faith and trust in Jesus Christ! At the same time, though, I respect and am humbled by this day and Christ because I know I'm still a sinner. So, when I read passages like Joel 2 or the sermons of John Wesley, I know I need to pause and repent. 

"Any reader of John Wesley will know that he places his theological weight on fleeing from the wrath to come. His salvation message was rooted in original sin and the need for Christ’s power to break the bonds of sin lest we continue on to eternal wrath." (John Meunier, a Methodist Blogger)

That's a key focus of Lent, to recognize our own sinfulness and not only confess our sin (our own recognition of our guilt), but also to repent of our sinfulness (a promise to change our behaviors, or more literally, to change directions and walk toward Christ). It's the call of Joel 2:12-13a, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing.

No, Ash Wednesday is not the only day to "Repent and believe in the Gospel." Rather, repentance is to be a common, everyday practice, and not just during Lent, but throughout our lifetimes, reminding us that what we have from Christ is a gift; that without it, the "wrath of God" would be inevitable. 

So on this first week of Lent, let us constantly "Return to the Lord, our God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing," (Joel 2:13b) because it's a good place to start keeping a Holy Lent!

Peace ><>

Pastor Chris