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One California pastor mentioned that whereas Lent can be thought of a time of “bright sadness,” it can even be the supply of many non secular blessings and presents.
While it is not uncommon for many individuals to “give up” issues for Lent, “in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, they have a different take,” Pastor Wendell Vinson informed Fox News Digital.
Vinson is senior pastor of Canyon Hills Assembly of God in Bakersfield, California, and co-founder of CityServe International, “a collaborative network designed to help local churches create greater impact and offer hope in the name of Jesus.”
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Lent, within the Eastern Orthodox Christian view, is known as a “bright sadness,” mentioned Vinson.
“Bright because it leads up to that turning point in all of creation when the resurrected Savior emerges from the tomb to redeem the world — yet sad given the incredible price that Christ had to pay for our redemption,” he mentioned.
Wendell Vinson and Lynda Vinson are senior pastors of Canyon Hills Assembly of God in California. Pastor Wendell Vinson described four blessings that can be gained through the season of Lent. (iStock/Canyon Hills Assembly of God)
The time period “bright sadness” prompts Christians to “reflect on the real meaning of Easter,” he mentioned.
“Whether you are Catholic, Protestant or somewhere in between, a spirit of honest reflection is what Lent is all about,” he mentioned.
Vinson informed Fox News Digital that there are four blessings he thinks Christians receive through the liturgical season of Lent: larger appreciation, larger humility, larger alignment with God’s will, and larger gratitude.
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“In Philippians 3:9-10, the Apostle Paul writes that he wants to ‘share [Christ’s] sufferings, becoming like Him in His death,’” mentioned Vinson.
“Paul understood that humanity’s debt was too great for anyone to ever pay off but for one divine, supernatural exception,” he added.
A person ought to try to develop in humility throughout Lent, mentioned Vinson, one thing which may appear “counter-intuitive.” (iStock)
During Lent, “the more we consider Christ’s atoning work on the cross, the less we take it for granted and the deeper our appreciation grows,” defined Vinson.
While it might sound counter-intuitive, Vinson believes that individuals will obtain extra of their lives by rising in humility.
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“In James 4:6 we study that ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ And in Philippians 2:8-9, we study that Jesus ‘humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name, which is above every name,”” he said.
A reflection on these verses and Christ’s example “should encourage humility in all of us,” he said.
The death of Christ on the cross was a terrible tribulation, said Vinson, yet Jesus was praying for “perfect alignment with God’s will.” (SWNS)
The night before He was crucified, Jesus agonized in the garden of Gethsemane, fully aware of what was about to happen.
Despite this, His prayer “was for perfect alignment with God’s will.”
This, said Vinson, should be “an example we should all strive to follow as Easter approaches.”
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As Lent continues and Easter draws nearer, “reflection on the purpose of Lent should lead to a greater sense of gratitude,” said Vinson, noting that in Colossians 2:13, St. Paul states, “You were dead in your sins.”
Added Vinson, “Without Easter, we’re with out hope. Lent is the lead-up to the good celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. It reminds us that hope is alive. And for this, we can be grateful.”
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Lent, mentioned Vinson, “really is a time for ‘bright sadness.’”
“We are sad because our Savior had to suffer and die. But this Lenten season, my prayer is that all would graciously receive these four precious gifts, letting joy shine brightly because we know resurrection Sunday is coming,” he mentioned.
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