| Examples of Legalism |
| There are many people who try to make the Sabbath a legalistic burden for believers. We are told that you can't possible keep the Sabbath or if you so much as move your in violation of it's many rules. What about what we can do on the Sabbath, is there any direction given as to what is allowed? I was recently told by a fellow believer that since the Scriptures say my servants can not labor that even using electricity was a violation of the Sabbath. The quote is his question and my response follows. QUOTE: Remember, the servants of your household also include the service workers whom you pay to serve you with water, electricity, gas, communications etc. ON THE SABBATH DAY. END OF QUOTE My Response: This sounds much like the view the Pharisees took toward anyone who walked more than 2/3 of a mile on the Sabbath; and those who left the egg in the sun and found it accidently cooked. This was to them labor. The next logical step is to say you must not extend the recliner out because you would be working a handle, or flip a light switch because you would be laboring not to mention your view of the power company. I understand your attempt to make it absolutely impossible to keep the Sabbath but let me show you our Lord and His opinion of keeping the Sabbath. Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. Matthew 12:2 But when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. Matthew 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; Matthew 12:4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Matthew 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? Matthew 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is [one] greater than the temple. Matthew 12:7 But if ye had known what [this] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. Why did He say this? Matthew 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. If you are correct we would never even dream of leaving our homes, driving to the hospital to visit the sick, visit and study with a shut in or elderly believer who can not get out. Now, is your view correct? Lets refer to our Lord again to see what He would accept on His Holy Sabbath: Matthew 12:9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had [his] hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. Matthew 12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift [it] out? Matthew 12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Matthew 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Matthew 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. Why would they want to destroy one who is doing great things for men? Why would they want to kill a man who can heal, teach and have compassion? They wanted to do it because He was not conforming to THEIR idea of what the Sabbath was to be, burdened down with their man made laws and regulations that our Lord simply renounced. Taking things to extreme, as your line of questioning is doing, is why some view the keeping of the Sabbath as legalistic. Under that line of thinking I would need to stop breathing at some point so my lungs would not labor to keep me alive. Would it be more of a labor to go to the bathroom or to strain holding it in all day until sunset? Yes this is taking it to extreme but that is what the line of reason will do if it is followed to it's only possible conclusion. I have shown what Christ said was acceptable by looking at His own example that we are to follow. There are some who teach a "carnal Christian" theology that says you can not keep your mind from talking your body into doing fleshly things that you know are wrong. This same line of reason is what your telling me about the Sabbath, and it is a dangerous thing to teach. Stripping away the cover it plainly says, You will never be able to resist sin so just give in to it or ignore the fact we are told not to do it. This is what has happened to God's Law. I will address any place in Scripture you wish but I will not, and can not, do it from a legalistic point of view because I do not approach it in that manor. My love of the Sabbath, and keeping of the Sabbath is within the direction of the Sabbath Commandment. I will not disregard it, nor will I disregard the others like not to murder, cheat on my wife and so on. Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: Exodus 20:10 But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates: Exodus 20:11 For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. This is the 4th Commandment, not, do not flip a switch or move from your physical spot on which your feet rest. The word translated into "work" in verses 9 & 10 is the equivelent to our use of the word "Employment" or "Business" today (according to Strongs). God told us to take the day off from our daily labors and use this day to be refreshed, physically and spiritually. Why is this such a threat to so many people today? The Pharisees were careful to keep the physical laws they had placed on the Sabbath and had forgotten what it was about. They had lost the Spirit and meaning of it and it's design for men. They were also careful not to physically committ adultery but were guilty of it in their hearts and minds, which Christ pointed out to them. Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. The Law can easily be followed once a believer allows Christ into their life to not only be Savior but their Lord. His grace is sufficient, as He reminded the Apostle Paul, to carry His people through. Return to Sabbath Index Page Return to Navigation Page |
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| 11/26/03 |