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Post by LDM on Aug 13, 2009 16:04:13 GMT -5
I am creating this thread for those who may have questions about the Blog post addressing the Sabbath and Sunday worship.
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Post by aliciawebb on Nov 20, 2009 2:23:31 GMT -5
My eyes have been open to such much truth through your postings. I do have a question about the sabbath. I have read all of your postings about the "law" and being free from it. I am a sabbath keeper. I do not do work and guard myself from wordly things on this day. I now understand what it means to enter into a rest at all times but I still have questions about the actual sabbath day. God rested on the seventh day. He told us to keep this day in his commandments along with not killing, stealing a so forth. What I take away from your observation is that we are not bound to just keeping the law but are expanded to a broader understanding of what pleases God beyond the ten commandments. That doesn't mean that we can kill. We still should not kill but we must also be slow to anger and so on. After prayer for clarificaton, I believe that we are to honor the day that God set aside as the Sabbath day during creation by giving our bodies rest, but we can also find a daily rest in our mind and spirit because of the sacrifice of Christ.
It is important to clarify to those who may not have knowledge of the Sabbath or who question it's role post Christ whether you believe if that day should be set aside to rest. You only gave support. Please be specific. Do we do as we please on Saturday as long as we have Christ in our hearts or did God always intend on this day being a special day?
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Post by LDM on Nov 20, 2009 7:28:18 GMT -5
HI Aliciawebb,
It is not that we do as we please. But that in Christ, we do as He pleases - and that everyday.
So, when considering what it is lawful to do on Sabbath, our instructions are what Jesus said, "Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days." Matthew 12:12b
There is much discussion in Christianity about what is "lawful" for the Sabbath, but the only limitation Jesus put on the Sabbath is that we "do well". The only way that we can "do well" is by having the life of Christ present in us. This is what we are to do everyday.
If you personally feel that you should set aside the Sabbath day to honor the Lord, that is your right. The things we do unto the Lord in that regard are a matter of faith, but it is not by command from the Lord. As long as you understand the true meaning of the Sabbath - obtaining to a rest from your works in Christ as He lives through you - then you are fine.
God's intent with man was that we would love as He does. The law was not His ultimate goal for us; it was what He had to give to guide us until we could be born again of His Spirit. Once we are born again, because He lives within us, then He can love through us and we no longer need the law as a guide. That is why the law is called a schoolmaster. The law is righteous law, but the higher authority is being transformed in the inner man to carry the life of God and let Him live through us in all things and all days.
God Bless!
Mia
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Post by aliciawebb on Nov 20, 2009 12:45:30 GMT -5
Thank you for your prompt response. I am truly being blessed every day as I go through this site, study the word, and seek knowledge. My fire has been renewed and I desire GOD now more than ever. I would like to know if you personally work (i.e. household chores, or go to an office setting that is not a ministry) on Saturdays. You do not have to answer, but I just need more understanding. Thanks again.
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Post by LDM on Nov 20, 2009 13:37:19 GMT -5
For my family, on Saturdays you might find us running errands, doing chores, shopping for groceries, taking the kids to one of the sports games, or just resting. I do not feel as if there are any limits on what we do those days versus any other day.
Now, that said, if you feel as if you are being led to set aside the physical day of the Sabbath (while also appreciating the Spirit of the Sabbath), that is certainly what you should do. Your relationship with God is your own. While I am open to share my own perspective or what my family does, that is not a pattern for how others are to live. God is a personal God and He will direct each of us in the way He would have us to go.
I know that this topic can be the cause for much debate. If anything, I would just say to be true to what God speaks to your heart...and do that. Don't feel bound to live up to the expectations of person. When you follow what the Lord wants you to do, you will have peace - even if others don't agree or understand. :-)
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Post by gcprice on Nov 20, 2009 14:20:01 GMT -5
Hello aliciawebb and LDM: I was reading the posts on the Sabbath day and I would like to add just a quick word and ask you to read Galatians through very slowly, especially chapters 2 and 3. First of all aliciawebb you are a blessing because you desire to please the Lord and do what is right in His eyes and I love you and how you seem to really want to know the truth. What I am about to say is extremely simple and if you will incorporate this truth into your life it will really liberate you. Please believe me when I say that I am in no way condemning your desire to have a "day of rest" and if you choose to do so, then I say amen to that, but understand that all laws in the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus Christ the person. The law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ and once you receive Him, then the process of sanctification will change your old nature into His nature and then you will do the things that you do because of the spirit that you now walk in, read Romans, chapter 8, "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death". What we fall prey to as Christians is what I call "positive bondage". Desiring to be obedient to God, we sometimes try real hard to please Him instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to crucify the old, unregenerate Adamic nature so that Jesus Christ might dwell in our hearts by faith. The Galatians tried to do it by instituting circumcision as part of the salvation process and Paul rebuked them because justification (to be made just as if you never sinned) is a work of grace (God's unmerited favor) because He loves you. We have been taught performance/reward programs since we were born, i.e. good performance in school equals good grades and you pass the tests for advancement, but the Lord wants you to know that He loves you and through a holy communion with you he is transforming you into His image, Romans 12:1. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law to those that believe. If you want to rest on Saturday, that's great!! Hopefully, you get a good days rest, but it has nothing to do with the love relationship which is between you and the Lord and it has no foundation in doctrine whatsoever. The Lord has set you free from "the law of sin and death" and "whom the Son has set free is free indeed". Take a look at our website www.omegaministry.org and listen to some of the tapes there. Again, I am not judging you nor condemning you, but hopefully I am illustrating a truth to you in love that you can receive. When all law is purged from your soul the Lord will use you to lead many to salvation because you have a real zeal for truth. The law was added to the Abrahamic covenant 400 years after God made the covenant with Abraham because of the unrighteousness of the people. Jesus has made us righteous in the eyes of God and laws are not necessary any longer. The scripture plainly states that "the law is not made for a righteous man". Aliciawebb I pray that you be at peace and totally liberated in the Lord, He only asks that you don't use your liberty as an "occasion for the flesh", but that you are an example to set others free. Peace and joy to the saints of God, I love you. Pastor Price (gcprice) www.jesuscult.org"Have you read the Jesus Cult yet?" |
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Post by trayjay on Apr 15, 2010 8:31:36 GMT -5
GCPrice, My goodness, that is the best explanation regarding the law that I have ever encountered! THANKS FOR THAT!
I went through a time where I wanted to "obey" the Sabbath. I wanted to do it because I love the Lord so much, but I must admit that while I wanted to do it, it sometimes felt like bondage because I had gotten so used to using Saturday to do my washing, cleaning, etc. etc. Then I understood, finally, that the Law was fulfilled through Christ and that what the Lord really wanted from me was to have time with Him. Well, for me that's every day, not just on the Sabbath. But i never had anyone explain the passage of Scripture that says "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death" in such a way that helps me understand that the law of sin and death is me trying to do what Christ already did for me. To put it plainly, it means that the law of sin and death is activated when we try to keep the law in our own strength. But when we rely on Christ's completed work on the Cross, we are under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Wow. That's what I call understanding the Scriptures!
I totally agree, if you desire to set aside the Sabbath for the Lord, by all means, but don't let it become something we do out of love in fear.
I can't articulate what your response does for me not just concerning the Sabbath, but also in other areas. If it is okay, I would like to share your response with others. I think it is so awesome how the Lord uses us to bless others and we usually never know how much He was actually able to use us. Thank you so much for your response to aliciawebb.
aliciawebb, may the Lord bless you beyond measure in your walk and desire for Truth.
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