Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. Mark 2:27 NLT

In light of our purpose to see the Ten Commandments as God’s moral law of love (Romans 13:8-10), this series is not to debate or pressure anyone into feeling “obliged” to memorize them.  These behaviors can bind us and cause division. Our pursuit is to work in connection with the Spirit of God well enough to know Him, love Him, follow His Spiritual prompting and share our finding with others.  According to God’s promise, this will result in rest and unity in Him.  With that distinction, let’s take a close look at the 4th Commandment today, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

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 (John 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.

Colossians 2:13-7 guides us and sheds a helpful light.  13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Notice the sabbath days are referred to as a shadow of things to come.  Think of a tree as the thing, and reputation like its shadow.  The shadow is what we think of it, but only the tree itself has the substance of reality.

Hebrews 4:3 (KJV) corners God’s desired outcome.  3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

This is the substance of what the shadow referred to:  Entering into the real thing — resting in Christ, through believing.

So family and friends, let’s seriously purpose to know and operate in His order and rest this coming week…One commandment at a time.
  
1.   Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

2.   Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

3.   Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. 

4.   Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Ex 20: 8-11