Should we “give up” something for Lent? There is a beneficial way in which this can be done. But the focus is to be on the cross where Christ accomplished our forgiveness. To be of any benefit, any sacrifice on our part must remind us of the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus.

The problem is that giving up something for Lent can also lead to the danger of work righteousness. The thought that “I am earning points with God by my sacrifice” is a poisonous thought, which is diametrically opposed to “by grace alone.”

Work righteousness lay at the center of the Pharisee’s prayer in Jesus’ parable: “The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get’” (Luke 18:11-12). Jesus declared that this Pharisee was not justified before God. His prayer demonstrated that he had no faith.

Instead, during Lent the most important thing we should want to “give up” is no trivial matter. We need to acknowledge our sin and repent of it. This is what the tax collector “gave up” in that same parable: “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner’” (Luke 18:13).

The tax collector confessed his sinful nature and his life of sin. Abandoning any of his own works, he trusted only in the mercy of God. The tax collector was forgiven, as Jesus said, "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14).

Despite its abuses, the concept of giving something up for Lent was originally derived from the sound practice in the early Christian Church of fasting during Lent. Fasting was to be a sign of penitence over sin. Then with the celebration of the resurrection of Christ from the grave on Easter a feast would be eaten, celebrating the victory of Christ over sin, death, and the devil.

During the season of Lent, we all need to acknowledge and “give up” the big issue—our sin. For our trust is in our merciful God who sent His Son to forgive our sin. Jesus accomplished this by His death: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

As redeemed children of God we should want to live for righteousness. Motivated by love for Jesus our life of repentance (sorrow for sin and faith in Jesus) results in the desire to “give up” our sin for the rest of our lives. The more we repent, the more we will realize our need for Jesus to save us from sin and to empower us through His Word with love to fight sin and live for Him.

So whether we do or do not abstain from our morning cup of coffee this Lent, let us be sure to give up the big issue in our lives—our sin. Our loving Savior has paid for our sin with his sacrifice on the cross. We trust in Him for the forgiveness of our sins, life and eternal salvation.

Brad Kerkow is pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in North Mankato, Minnesota.