Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 1 Peter 2:16
“Come then, clear thyself of all the prepossessions which occupy thy mind, and throw off the habit which leadeth thee astray, and become a new man, as it were, from the beginning, as one who would listen to a new story, even as thou thyself didst confess. See not only with thine eyes, but with thine intellect also, of what substance or of what form they chance to be whom ye call and regard as gods…
Could not these things which are now worshipped by you, by human hands again be made vessels like the rest? Are not they all deaf and blind, are they not soul-less, senseless, motionless? Do they not all rot and decay? These things ye call gods, to these ye are slaves, these ye worship; and ye end by becoming altogether like unto them.”
Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus 2.1,4-5 (translated by J.B. Lightfoot and dated to the second century A.D.).
In the second century, the discipline of fasting was encouraged to “throw off the habit” and become a new person. Why is this important for all disciples for all time?
We are slaves to whatever we idolize and to whatever we think we own. While people may not worship graven images, we treat things as gods and they lead us astray.
Let us prepare our heart for Lent. God wants you us become a new people. Fast from whatever leads you astray. Could be food? Might be social media? Or, something else.
To find freedom from whatever captivates you, “throw off the habit” and “listen to a new story” to become a new person. Lent is coming. Are you ready?