Do you punish yourself or take the cross like Jesus did in this lenten season?  

In our country many believers are hurting themselves just to commemorate the sufferings of Jesus and as a means of repenting for the sins that they have done. They even have themselves nailed literally on the cross. But as for me, i believe that you do not really have to undergo the things Jesus had. You can repent and commemorate his Passion by simply giving up little things that you can hardly live without for a week. Like cutting your hours on computer and internet use, abstaining from sexual activities and other vices. and during holy week we visit 13 churches to do the stations of the cross.

NO I do not! Jesus died on the cross for us. He saved us for our sin. He carried the burden of our sin in the cross and sacrifice himself in order us to save. So why we suffer ourselves? Is it not enough for us of what Jesus did for us on the Calvary?
All He want for us, is to accept Him as our personal Savior.. How Great is our God..

Who on earth could equal the type of perseverance Jesus exhibited in his time. Praise the Lord.

I don't punish myself just like what happened to Jesus because I know that I cannot bear or do even one fourth of what he has done. He suffered only once and died only once on the cross for my sin and your sin. We are not forbidden to eat meat or pork. If you read your bible, one of the doctrine of devils is to forbid the eating of meat. Read your bible and you shall know the truth which will set you free forever. I am just thankful that Christ paid the penalty of my sin and I trusted Him and what He has done for me. He said, it is finished. Therefore, I cannot add or deduct what has been finished on the cross. Good day.

Jesus did not instruct us to do such kind of thing. Those are just human traditions installed by the Roman Catholic. And maybe some people do that at their own will. For Catholic Christians, you are free to do so. But for us, protestants, we are also free not to do so.

No i dont. But i want to try and observe sometime. I mean i know the said rules of catholics about the lenten season its just that in our family we dont have much choice at all, what we have on the table is what we eat. If we cant afford to buy fish or vegetables then we just go for easy open canned goods or even buy fast food already. And about the part where in other guys hurt themselves as their way of repenting for their sins, i dont believe in that manner of repenting at all ;)

I am definitely taking up the cross like Jesus. I have learned a lot in my lifetime, and often punished myself for my mistakes. Since becoming christian, I realize I don't need to do that anymore. Whatever burden I carry, or negative feeling I am having, I get on my knees and talk to the person that most understands me. :)

there are lots of ways to follow what Jesus did to be saved but not to carry the cross and hurt ourselves. Jesus did his own works as it was written and it should be done. but not to do exactly the same as he did. just by being a good person and a christian is enough. and more, you will just want to tell Jesus works was not enough if you carry the cross and hurt yourself?

Hello,
I would like to know your name. I don't think we should punish ourselves by doing something idiotic. The only and the most severe punishment a man can get is the repentance itself. What is hell? It is a heart filled with remorse and repentance. Heaven is the blissful state of mind where you feel connected with divinity. A penitent heart is punishment enough. It entirely cleanses our soul from all sins. Mere physical punishments or torturing our body is a sin in itself. If our repentance and surrender to God is sincere enough, this alone has the strength to free our soul from all burdens.
God bless you