Written by: Christopher Sernaque
Dear Readers,
The arguments that continue to be hurled against loving obedience to Jesus’ Sabbath Commandment come from those who are unlearned and unstable. (2 Peter 3:16) The relentless attack of the lawless upon the Sabbath commandment is sickening. Why is it, that professed Christians, wage war upon the Fourth Commandment? When one considers the fact that Jesus wrote the Ten Commandments (Nehemiah 9:6,13), that Jesus kept the Ten Commandments (Isaiah 42:21, Matthew 5:17-18, Psalm 40:8, Mark 10:19, John 15:10, (John 17:17-Psalm 119:142), that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8, Mark 2:28, Luke 6:5), and that the Sabbath is the Seal of God (Ezekiel 20:12,20, Exodus 31:13,17), one would expect that Christians would refrain from defying Jesus’ Holy Law. Nonetheless, there are those in Christendom with the spirit of lawlessness, that claim that the Moral Law, or the Ten Commandments, including the Sabbath, were abolished. The Bible predicted that false teachers would arise, and that they would seek to demote the law of God, in light of their “Christian Liberty.” (Jude 4, 2 Peter 2:19). Let it be forever known that the grace of God is not a license to sin (Romans 6:1-23) and that the Ten Commandments are not abolished. (Romans 7:1-14)
Consider one more point. Examine Isaiah 51:6-7:
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
God makes it very plain that His righteousness shall not be abolished, but this begs the question, “What is the righteousness of God?”
Comparing scripture with scripture, we find that God’s commandments are His righteousness.
“My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.”-Psalm 119:172
Therefore, it logically follows that:
God’s commandments are His righteousness (Psalm 119:172, Isaiah 51:7)
God’s righteousness shall not be abolished. (Isaiah 51:6, Psalm 119:172)
Therefore, God’s commandments, including the Sabbath Commandment, shall not be abolished. (Psalm 111:7-8, Luke 16:17)
Thus, being that the Sabbath was never abolished and never shall be, Christians are to keep the Sabbath Holy, just as Jesus, the disciples, and the early church, kept the Sabbath Holy.
Yet, the critic doth complain, “The author of this article is quoting from the Old Testament, surely obedience to God’s Ten Commandments is not found anywhere in the New Testament? I always thought that I could worship other gods, erect idols, take God’s name in vain, break the Sabbath, dishonor my parents, murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, and covet my way into the Heavenly Paradise, right?”
First and foremost, the whole Bible, both Old and New Testaments are inspired by God, and can be used for doctrine. (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Psalm. 119:9, 11, 105, 130; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Isaiah 8:20; Jeremiah 15:16; Hebrews 4:12.) Thus, all of the points listed in this article stand, not on the opinions of this present author, but on the infallible word of the one who is the Word, Jesus Christ (John 1:1).
Concerning entrance into Heaven, let the Word of God, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, define the requirements for admittance into the City of God:
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”-Revelation 22:14
“Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.“-Isaiah 56:1-2
What of those that persist in disobedience, claiming that God’s righteousness, or God’s commandments, have been abolished? Isaiah 51:8 presents the honest answer:
“For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.”-Isaiah 51:8
Dear Reader, this present writer asks that you stop upholding the traditions of men, and start living in the light of the Word of God. Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, loves you and He died to give you power to be righteous, or give you power to keep the commandments of God.
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”-2 Corinthians 5:21
“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.“-Romans 5:7-8
The Lord of the Sabbath loves you. Never forget that fact.
