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Ever since man
left the Garden of Eden we have been separated from God. What is it that
continues to separate us from God?
We learn in the Bible sin separates
us from God. To repair this breach we must first learn exactly what sin is. The
Bible tells us: "Sin is the transgression of the law." Studying the Bible we
find God's Ten Commandments. Okay, now we have the first step accomplished in
repairing the relationship with our creator. God doesn't want other gods before
him, nor images or taking his name in vain. We must honor our parents and no
lying, stealing, murder, coveting, or adultery. We must keep the Sabbath day
holy. Most people don't have a problem with nine of these commands, but how
about keeping the Sabbath holy? Is that one of the most ignored of all God's
commandments?
It may not be important to some of us but look how
important it is to God. The God who never changes said to keep his Sabbath.
They are a sign between us throughout the generations. Anyone who profanes it
shall be put to death! This is one of the few commandments that carries a death
penalty for breaking it! The Sabbath day identifies him as creator and those
who observe it as his people (Exodus 31, 14). But how about Christians? We
wouldn't have to keep some Jewish law, would we? A casual reading of the Bible
shows us that Jesus was none other than the God of the Old Testament - the
creator! (Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2, 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, John 1:1).
But we want to follow Jesus Christ and keep whatever day he kept, don't
we? Luke 4:16: "And as his custom was, he went into the synagogue (church) on
the Sabbath day, and stood up to read." Well, maybe the apostles kept another
day. No, in fact there are eight references to Paul preaching on the Sabbath
day in the, book of Acts, even to Gentiles.
But didn't Jesus, who spoke
of so many things to happen in the future, mention something about changing
that old Sabbath day to Sunday? Not a word. Hebrews 4 shows just the opposite,
that the Sabbath was created on the seventh day of creation and will endure
even into the kingdom of God to come on this earth (Isaiah 56 and 66).
The study of the Sabbath day is probably the most controversial topic
in all of religion. To say the least it is a most divisive doctrine as well.
History documents the gradual change from Saturday to Sunday.
The Bible
record is full of accounts where God tests people, and for good reason too. He
wants to grant immortality to man, does it not make sense that he makes sure a
man or woman is worthy of such a gift by the test of obedience? We could argue
the Sabbath question but that would be pointless. Obedience to God is a very
personal issue. The apostle Paul made it clear, any doctrine is to be studied,
proven to one's self, acted upon, and others not judged based on what you
believe.
For me and my house the Sabbath continues to be a breath of
fresh air in an ever-growing hectic world. A time to enjoy the fast fading
beauty of nature, and especially a time to draw a little closer to the creator,
my father.
Written by Wayne Schatzle, |
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