Lent. Passing over the issue of its justification, is it only for 40 days in the year that Christians should think about self denial? More positively 2 Corinthians 5 v 15 shows that not living unto ourselves is fundamental to faith. Self and Christ cannot share our hearts. One must end up dominating. It is a sobering thought, and one which Walter Chantry takes up well from a Reformed perspective. I have found this book helpful, and if you wanted to do some one thing which gave a nod towards Lent, then examine yourself whilst reading 'The Shadow of the Cross'. It's not a new book, but still available at £4.50 (£3.50 for the first copy sold mentioning this blog!) There are good chapters applying the subject to such things as Christian liberty, marriage, the ministry, and prayer. If the teaching were followed, then the lifestyle of many christians would be seriously challenged - and yes, I start with myself.Jeremy
