Fasting—A Fine Outward Training

The Lutheran Catechism says, "Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly a fine outward training . . ." There is a 'But' that follows. And that allows most of us Lutherans to not fast, not even during the Lenten season. Oh, there are some of us who attempt some form of fasting, but by and large most of us simply go on our merry way, ignoring the encouraging suggestion that such an act is "certainly a fine outward training." I invite you to think about fasting for a few minutes.

Let's start by pointing out that fasting is certainly not the same thing as dieting, a practice that is quite widespread in our day. Americans spend $40 billion a year on weight-loss programs and products. We must lose weight. Our celebs who have lost weight go around celebrating it in the media and, of course, are paid handsomely for their proclamations. As many commentators point out, dieting is meant to be a lifestyle rather than a passing fad. It is at that point that the weight-loss industry—and it is an industry—comes closest to fasting.

The above Catechism quote comes in the context of Luther's discussion of the Sacrament of the Altar, the Lord's Supper. It is part of his answer to the question, "Who receives this sacrament worthily?" He goes on to say, "But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." Thus he rightly connects fasting to the forgiveness of sins. And this gives us a clue to the purpose and value of fasting.

Fasting relates to our spiritual life and most especially to our faith relationship to our Lord Jesus Christ who gave His body and shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. So we ask ourselves how this outward act, this training, will assist us inwardly with our faith.

The immediate temptation is to start thinking that denying ourselves some form of bodily pleasure ("I've given up ice cream for Lent") somehow earns us a special relationship before God, even the forgiveness of certain sins such as gluttony. It does not. Inasmuch as we turn fasting into that, we deny its value. Here is what our Lord Jesus says,

"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-17). 

Fasting is a secret act, between you and to your heavenly Father. To everyone else nothing has changed. You still wash your face and comb your hair as you always have, but secretly you are fasting. Your Father knows it. And He will reward you.

What kind of reward are we to expect? What's the pay back? As Scripture points out, we all need training and discipline in obedience and submission to the will of our heavenly Father, for it is our very sinful nature to disobey and rebel. But by God's grace, we are the sons and daughters of God, adopted into His family by the shed blood of our Lord Jesus. And what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Such discipline does not seem pleasant at the moment ("You're grounded for two weeks and no TV!"), but we later look back and thank our parents for such training. We later grow in our respect for them and thank them for it (Hebrews 12:1-13).

As you enter the Lenten season and once again ponder the issue of fasting, prayerfully ponder how your Lord is already at work in your life disciplining and training you. What is He asking you to give up, to deny yourself? For instance, your addiction to food became a kind of drug that prevented you from serving Him. Now you discover this addiction has contributed to your heart disease and/or diabetes. You need some radical changes in your diet and exercise program in order to become a better steward of your body.

The same may be true for any sin in your life. Say for instance that for decades you knelt daily at the altar of professional success. You made this idol your god. You rose up early and stayed up late to do whatever it took to please your idol. And your god blessed your labors. You gained fame, wealth and glory. You often leaned back in your plush leather office chair to gaze out of your twentieth story window while applauding yourself for your efforts and your accomplishments. Then suddenly, quite unexpectedly you were told by your physician that you had prostate cancer. An operation revealed that it had spread into your abdomen and that you required extensive chemo and radiation therapy if possibly you were to survive. Now you are unexpectedly face to face with your own mortality and are not prepared. Up to now you have given but a weak nod to your Creator and Redeemer while you spent your life worshipping your idol. Now you realize that your true Lord has stepped forward to discipline you. And for the remainder of your life you will have to give up much. Your lifestyle must change quite radically. He is disciplining you.

I say again, fasting is a secret act between you and your Lord. How is He disciplining you? Lent is a good season to ponder that question and to listen prayerfully to Him speaking to you in His Word. Submit to His training whatever it is. Accept it with thanksgiving. God is treating you as His son or daughter, precisely because you are His child! His training does not always seem pleasant. It is often rather painful. But know with certainty that He is training you in faith, humility, patience, kindness, and many other qualities of the righteous life. So endure your fast with thanksgiving. Wash your face, comb your hair, put on a smile as best you can, and get on with the life He has given you.

Watch out that  you do not grumble and complain about the situation He has put you in. If you find yourself doing that then quickly come in prayer before your Father and confess it and rise again, knowing you are forgiven for the sake of Christ your only Savior. Go again to the Table of our Lord to be reassured of the forgiveness of your sins. And your Father who sees your fasting in secret will reward you with quiet faith and the blessed assurance of life eternal with Him.