Christians should take a “spiritual inventory” during Lent and strive to improve their relationships with God before EasterChristian apologist and author Alex McFarland told Fox News Digital.
“In the Gospel of Matthew, the Bible speaks of the importance of finding ‘treasure hidden in a field’ or ‘the pearl of great price,'” said McFarland, based in North Carolina.
In these parables, Jesus shares with his disciples that heaven is “worth giving up everything to reach.”
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Traveling to find a literal pearl carries risks – but that is not the case with searching for the figurative pearl described by Jesus. For Christians follow In Jesus’ words, “there is no danger of tragedy, but only the promise of victory,” McFarland said.
“By apprehending the true pearl beyond price – a relationship with God – one does not lose one’s soul, but one gains it,” he said.
The pearls, like the treasure Jesus offers to humanity, were forged in suffering, said Christian leader and author Alex McFarland. (Mark Phelps/iStock)
The Bible, McFarland told Fox News Digital, speaks of “countless souls” who have “chosen to opt out” of that reward.
“Jesus tells us that investing everything in God’s promised treasures is actually the wisest thing we can do.”
Lent offers Christians the perfect opportunity to walk away from the things that take them away from God – and reorient their lives, he said.
By taking a “spiritual inventory” of their relationship with God, Christians can address areas where they are lacking, he also said.
Jesus’ sufferings on the cross paid the price for the salvation of humanity – the “true pearl beyond great price.” (iStock)
“During Lent, Christians pray and thank God for his salvation through the death of Jesus on the cross,” McFarland said.
“They set aside time to read the scriptures, doing all they can to understand and abide by them.”
Lent, McFarland said, “is a time when believers are especially diligent in discerning what the Holy Spirit is prompting them to do: to turn from sin and cease behaviors and attitudes that displease God.” .
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He continued: “Just as Jesus our Savior (and example) fasted for 40 days in the desert, Lent is a time to fast for 40 days from all that we have given love to which belongs only ‘farewell.”
The world would experience enormous positive changes “if we all lived one Lenten life” McFarland said.
“Lent is a word associated with spring (and) new beginnings,” said a religious leader and author, who advises Christians to take a “spiritual inventory” of their faith during this time. (iStock)
“Lent is a word associated with spring, new beginnings, lengthening days and daylight.”
The resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday “is God’s guarantee that a new beginning for this world is upon us – and our place in His coming Kingdom is assured by putting our faith in Jesus.”
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McFarland added: “Pearls, they say, are the jewels created by suffering; the treasures that Jesus offers us were also purchased by suffering. »
And while it may be “tempting to give up hope” given what’s happening in the world today, “Christ is as close as a prayer.”
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“Tangible changes in our lives can occur, and lasting peace and joy are possible,” he said.
“Through Lent, we turn away from a fallen world and allow God to change our sinful nature. We recommit ourselves to that noblest pursuit: the pursuit of God himself.”
McFarland is the author of more than 20 books, is heard live daily on the American Family Radio Network and co-hosts the television show “Truth and Liberty” from Greensboro, North Carolina.
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