Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28
In light of our purpose to see the Ten Commandments come alive as God’s moral law of love (Rom 13:8-10), and Jesus Himself, this series is not to debate or pressure anyone into feeling “obliged” to simply memorize them. These behaviors only serve to bind us and cause division. Our pursuit is to work in cooperation and vital connection with the Spirit of God so that we may know Him, love Him, and follow His Spiritual direction. According to God’s promise, this will result in rest and unity in Him. With that distinction, let’s take a close look at living the 4th Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
How we start determines the effective truth of abiding in the 4th Commandment. Jesus said in Mark 2:27 that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. This points us to God’s initial reason for instituting the Sabbath: the Sabbath was created for the benefit of man and not to make one day of the week a little extra special.
One thing to keep in mind is that we consider everyday as a day of worship. Our church attendance may take place within a material building, but we as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16-17), worship Him first and foremost in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:20-24). Propping a particular day as a legality over the One who made the day in the first place would be idolatry. What is key concerning the Sabbath is that we extend our hearts in gratefulness to the God of creation, realizing that He more than deserves a day of honor on our behalf. God is love, the law giver, and our ultimate merciful caretaker and judge. He sent His Son Christ Jesus to die for our sins and gave us the opportunity to receive His loving Spirit in our hearts. For these reasons, He is ultimately deserving.
As an unending principle, the steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord. Let’s purpose to obey God, family and friends, so we may operate in His order and find rest. Isn’t it awesome that we have the opportunity to know, receive, and follow in the One who loves us, deserves glory, and prompts us to co-labor with Him to serve others? “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
Ex 20: 8-11; Psalm 37:23
3 users commented in " Living The 4th Commandment "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackDuring these times gathering in a building is not possible. Every day has become a Sabbath day, seeking God for comfort and peace. When I close my eyes and envision my place of worship on this earth, this scripture fills my heart: “…And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” ~ Colossians 3:14 No matter what’s going on around us, in the name of Jesus, and in love, we can come together in the spiritual realm as the body of Christ, wherever we are in this world, at any given moment, to worship our Father who is the one and only true, living God.
Keeping this commandment is one the only things
that has kept me alive and sane through my crazy work life!
Even in 110+ hour work weeks I always kept Sunday out of it
and got rejuvenated by the weekly worship service and resting
on Sunday afternoon to be ready for the following week’s
onslaught! When the Blue Laws were taken away life for most people became one unending hamster wheel…Little wonder
the world is going nuts!
(ditto…my last comment) Thanks Steve!