The Thing Most Sabbath Keepers Do not Talk About.

[Freth]

The Sabbath sits right there in the Ten Commandments. In fact, it has become the icon of the Law for many Sabbatarians. It is the punchline of many moralistic arguments and the centerpiece of Sabbatarian doctrine. To them, it is to be kept just as strictly as any of the other nine commandments. Yet the others carry natural, immediate consequences when violated. For example, if I kill someone, I may be killed myself or imprisoned for the rest of my life. If I covet my neighbor’s wife, I may end up in the hospital or the morgue. Sabbath breaking, however, has no such visible consequence. That creates a battleground where Christians often cross swords.

What fascinates me most is how people use the broad platitude “keep the Sabbath,” even to the point of wearing the label “Sabbath Keeper.” It certainly comes with the temptation to look down on those not “discerning enough” to agree with Sabbath keeping, and it can be an ego boost for those who enjoy a sense of spiritual superiority. Not all are like that, of course. There are many sincere Sabbath keepers who do so with humility and love, considering themselves no better than anyone else.

Yet for most who carry the label, the one thing they rarely address is the specifics of true Sabbath keeping. The moment one asks “How should it actually be practiced?” disagreements erupt. The Sabbath-keeping community is deeply divided over what is appropriate and what is not. It is far easier to remain in the comfort of the broad label than to open the can of worms and define the boundaries. Still, if Sabbath keeping is truly salvific, should the precise observance of it not be extremely important? One would hate to wear the label all their life only to discover they had been doing it wrong.

I could give examples, but for now, I will leave the worms in that can a little longer.

No immediate consequences to breaking the Sabbath. This can be said for the first four commandments that concern loving God. There is a reason why there are not immediate consequences for not loving God. Each and every one of us has a choice to make; whether we will follow God or not. The wages of sin is still death. Whether or not you receive judgment immediately or later is beside the point. If one thinks about it, there are no immediate consequences for any of the commandments if you're not caught.

• Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
• 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
• John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
• 1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Also...

• 2 Peter 3:3-7 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
• 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

No one knows how to observe the Sabbath. Scripture tells us how to keep the Sabbath.

Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 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: 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.

• Commanded to remember: Remember the Sabbath day...
• Commanded to keep it holy: ...to keep it holy.

Notice the care taken to tell us to remember to keep it holy.

• Remembrance; of keeping it, but also of creation (below).
• Holy is how to keep it.
• Commanded to work six days: Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work...
• Commanded to keep the seventh day: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. (spoken with authority, as if commandments weren't already authoritative)
• Why? Creation: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day...
• As a result of which: The Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Isaiah 58:13-14 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

• "Turn away your foot," can be translated as
  • Do not travel
  • Return to the Sabbath
• Do not do your own pleasure
• Delight in the Sabbath
• Honor Him
• Not doing your own ways
• Not finding your own pleasure
• Not speaking your own words

Conclusion

The Sabbath: There is a long list of scripture supporting the keeping of the Sabbath (posted countless times on this forum), and only a couple verses that could possibly be taken out of context as negating the Sabbath. The supporting scripture for the Sabbath stands in stark contrast. I think I'll stick with the overwhelming evidence for the Sabbath. God did not change the Sabbath day, nor did He command us to stop observing it. Just as He never commanded us to go ahead and kill or commit adultery or lie.

Consequences: Scripture makes it plain that consequences are pending.

Keeping the Sabbath: The Bible gives easy guidelines for keeping the Sabbath, as I've shown.

What makes more sense? That God gave Ten commandments and all of them are still binding, or that God gave nine and one is no longer binding? That's a rhetorical question. The answer is obvious.

 

[Studyman]

The crux of the issue is judgment. Those who preach keeping Sabbath continually judges this who do not. Those who do not keep Sabbath, just want to be left alone.

Paul made a very strong plea to Christians not to cause stumbling blocks over this matter. I encourage everyone to read Romans 14.
Blessings

Rom. 14: 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

When I studied this, apart from the influences of this world's religions, I asked myself, "What difference does it make what day a "man" esteems? How many times did Paul and Jesus and the Law and Prophets warn us about the "Heart of man", the "precepts of man", the "Traditions of man", the "Philosophies of man", "commandments of man"?

What does Paul teach that I am to be fully persuaded of? Whose instruction am I to "Yield myself" to, according to Paul. Who am I to "present my body a living Sacrifice to?

Who Esteemed God's Holy Sabbath as above the other 6 days of the week? Man, or God? Whose instruction should I be fully persuaded in my own mind to serve?

I agree with Paul 100%. God will direct a man of Faith. Everyone's faith is weak at one pint or another, especially in the beginning.

But I don't believe, given "ALL" of Paul's teaching that HE is advocating Sin or Transgressing any of God's Commandments here.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Most Christian sabbath keeping is tied to the teachings of Ellen White from the 1830s, and the seventh-day adventist church. Their main teacher these days seems to be Doug Batchelor. And basically the way to be a sabbath keeper under that flag is to attend an sda church on saturday and follow what you're taught by them.

Then there's Messianic Judaism. Which is basically practicing Judaism while believing in Christ. So they keep the sabbath the way the Bible tells Jews to keep the sabbath.

Actually this is not true. Most people who keep the Sabbath keep it because God placed the Sabbath commandment in the same unit that He placed the commandment to only worship Him, or not vain His holy name. God never plucked out the 4th commandment the way man has, hence why He used the word "Remember" on this commandment as He knew everyone would forget. Exo20:8-11

The Sabbath started way before 1830's, it started at Creation Exo 20:11 was part of God's perfect plan made for man Mark2:27 why we see man made on the 6th day before the first Sabbath in the garden Gen2:1-3 Exo20:11 before sin corrupted the world.

Sadly man adopted a counterfeit sabbath, much like many of the Jews did following man-made traditions over obedience to God's commandments which Jesus said this is worshipping Him in vain Mat15:3-14 Mark7:7-13

The change of God's Sabbath and the holy day of the Lord, thus saith the Lord Isa 58:13 was even predicted in the Scriptures Dan7:25 and we see a clear history of this change and the institution who made this changes brags that it was done without Scripture authority and those who keep Sunday over God's Sabbath commandment, is keeping a commandment of the Catholic church.. Whoever we obey is who we serve or worship Rom6:16. I do not believe Rome can save us, only Jesus.

Why the God of the Universe is asking us to get back to worship this God Rev 14:7 Exo20:11 before its too late Rev 18:4 Rev 22:11

Jesus said the last days would be like the days of Noah. Noah preached 120 years and almost no one believed.

The whole Bible is about the testimony of God through His prophets and apostles. Yet when it comes to the God of the Universe own personal Testimony Exo 31:18 Deut4:13, not written by man, but written by God, placed under God's mercy seat Exo25:21 Exo20:6 few believe or think they can edit Him as if He made a mistake.

The path is narrow for a reason and we will be judged by God's word John 12:48 Exo20:1 James2:11-12 Rev11:18-19 Rev22:14-15, not mans.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

What makes more sense? That God gave Ten commandments and all of them are still binding, or that God gave nine and one is no longer binding? That's a rhetorical question. The answer is obvious.

Keeping 9 commandments does not make sense. God literally said Remember the Sabbath day, so the one commandment man is to forget is the only one that God said Remember and its the only one that tells us which God we are to only worship. There are many god's in the world, but only one that has the power to create the heavens and earth Gen2:1-3 Exo 20:11 and only one God that has the power to sanctify a day and man Eze20:12 Gen 2:3 both of these are tied to the Sabbath, so its nonsensical that this is the only commandment man should forget the one commandment Jesus said was made for man.

Sin is also anything not of faith. God clearly wrote Ten Commandments- He wrote them, He spoke them, He numbered them Ten Deut4:13 Exo34:28 its God's Testimony Exo 31:18 , who has more authority than He to change them when He clearly said He would not Mat5:17-30 Psa89:34.

 

[PloverWing]

Sadly man adopted a counterfeit sabbath, much like many of the Jews did following man-made traditions over obedience to God's commandments which Jesus said this is worshipping Him in vain Mat15:3-14 Mark7:7-13

From this statement, it sounds like you observe the Sabbath, but you disagree with the way the Sabbath is observed in modern rabbinical Judaism. Can you tell me, in a few sentences, how your observance of the Sabbath as a Seventh-Day Adventist differs from the current Jewish observance of the Sabbath?

(I had a couple of SDA friends in college, and I know they did not work on the Sabbath, but I never asked them about the details of their observance beyond that. Alas -- a missed opportunity.)

 

[Jerry N.]

Keeping 9 commandments does not make sense. God literally said Remember the Sabbath day, so the one commandment man is to forget is the only one that God said Remember and its the only one that tells us which God we are to only worship. There are many god's in the world, but only one that has the power to create the heavens and earth Gen2:1-3 Exo 20:11 and only one God that has the power to sanctify a day and man Eze20:12 Gen 2:3 both of these are tied to the Sabbath, so its nonsensical that this is the only commandment man should forget the one commandment Jesus said was made for man.

Sin is also anything not of faith. God clearly wrote Ten Commandments- He wrote them, He spoke them, He numbered them Ten Deut4:13 Exo34:28 its God's Testimony Exo 31:18 , who has more authority than He to change them when He clearly said He would not Mat5:17-30 Psa89:34.

Glad you joined the discussion. I am also interested on how you keep the Sabbath. Please have a look at my post (#17) and comment on differences.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

From this statement, it sounds like you observe the Sabbath, but you disagree with the way the Sabbath is observed in modern rabbinical Judaism. Can you tell me, in a few sentences, how your observance of the Sabbath as a Seventh-Day Adventist differs from the current Jewish observance of the Sabbath?

(I had a couple of SDA friends in college, and I know they did not work on the Sabbath, but I never asked them about the details of their observance beyond that. Alas -- a missed opportunity.)

Hi PloverWing nice to meet you and appreciate the question.

I do not know how modern-day Jews keep it, but I believe they have adopted many additional rules on how to keep the Sabbath like not traveling or turning on a light which is legalism. I think they have a hundred or so rules on keeping the Sabbath that did not come from the Bible. The Sabbath is mainly about our relationship and communion with God.

Personally, I think the Bible shows how to keep the Sabbath with just a few guidelines. I will show you what the Bible says and I'll summarize on how I apply to how I keep it.

Lets first start with the commandment. Many think the 4th commandment is just how to keep the Sabbath, but it actually tells us how to keep all days. Also, many think its just about rest, but its actually telling us to rest from our work and labors so we can keep the Sabbath day holy. In the Sabbath commandment there is a provision for it to be kept for everyone.

Exo 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

Isa 58:13 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
From doing your pleasure on My holy day,
And call the Sabbath a delight,
The holy day of the Lord honorable,
And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
Nor finding your own pleasure,
Nor speaking your own words,
14 Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord;
And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,
And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
The mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

So the Sabbath is about putting away all secular things and focusing on God for one full day, on the Sabbath- God's holy day, The only one God claimed in the entire Bible. The Sabbath is a delight, not meant to be a burden as many teach it is. How can spending time with God on the day He set aside from Creation ever be a burden.

Lev 23:3 ‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.

God does not want His people being on an island. The Sabbath is meant for God's people to come together as a church family to worship Him and we see this in the life of Jesus and the apostles and continuing on in the New Heaven and New Earth,

So with these basic principles we see the Sabbath as doing the following

1. Resting from work on the Sabbath, so we can keep the Sabbath day holy
2. Keep our focus on God
3. Coming together as a family to worship Him in church

Lets see how these simple principles are applied to the New Covenant and how Jesus kept the Sabbath.

Luke4:16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. What He read from is the Book of Isaiah if you keep reading in this passage

Jesus healed on the Sabbath which the Jews in their legalism said it was breaking their sabbath (not God's)

Can you imagine if Jesus could cure someone from suffering why would that not be a blessing to do on the Sabbath or any day. Why Jesus said

Mat 12:12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
Mark3:4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent.

Jesus is plainly saying the Sabbath is still a law and we can still do evil on the Sabbath (by profaning it Isa56:2, Neh13:17) but we are told by Jesus to do good on the Sabbath.

The apostles kept the Sabbath with these same basic principles

As a holy convocation, reading and preaching the word of God, keeping the Sabbath holy by focusing on God through His word, prayer, and church gathering

Acts 13:14
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbathday and sat down.

Acts 13:27
For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.

Acts 13:42
So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

Acts 13:44
On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

Acts 15:21
For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

Acts 16:13
And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.

Acts 17:2
Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

Acts 18:4
And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.


Sorry, this is long, but the Bible has a lot to say about keeping the Sabbath. Most are thus saith the Lords.

In summary, how I keep the Sabbath, I like to prepare for the Sabbath as much I can on Friday which is the preparation day, so house cleaning, grocery shopping, prep meals when I can etc.

On the Sabbath I like to start out with quiet devotion of prayer and reading the Bible. Then I go to church with my church family. Sometimes we have potluck which is nice. Our church organizes a lot of outreaches either help bring food to the needy or clothes or will provide Bible studies etc. After church I go back home and will usually spend the rest of the day reading the Bible, prayer or reasoning with others on the Scriptures or visiting family. I will also watch sermons. I also like to get out it nature and appreciate everything God made for us in nature. I was not a Sabbath-keeping for most of my life and went back to keeping it about 5 years ago and it changed my life. There is nothing in this world that can take place of resting in God on His holy Sabbath day. No sports game, or shopping trip or whatever. I am not legalistic about the Sabbath and sometimes will spend the day in nature instead of church/ or just reading Scriptures, but I know God wants us together as a family and why His holy Sabbath convocation continues on in the New Heaven and New Earth but instead of worshipping Him in spirit, it will be before Him!


Isa66:22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord,
“So shall your descendants and your name remain.
23 And it shall come to pass
That from one New Moon to another,
And from one Sabbath to another,
All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

I am a Messianic Christian, and everything you wrote is about right. The two questions that come up most often among Christians who keep the Sabbath who are not SDA have to do with work and fire. Generally, one shouldn’t do anything that would include making money, but I know people who feel that they are forced to work on Saturday. I fought against that for many years before retirement, I wouldn’t condemn those who feel they have no choice, but I wouldn’t encourage it. The other question is whether one should make coffee on a timer or use computers. I do both, but there is no other cooking or housework (dishes are washed). There are also people who think hobbies are okay. I would disagree with gardening and woodworking and things that take physical effort, but others don’t. If a Christian decides to keep the Sabbath, they should start by focusing on the concept that it is a day of rest and worship. Then they should improve and refine the process over time with prayer and study.

Hi Jerry!

I am glad you have found the Sabbath truth.

Personally for the most part I do not think we should work on the Sabbath, but Jesus said it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, so we need doctors and nurses and firemen and police officers every day including the Sabbath, so I think there are some exceptions, but even if in these fields, they should try to take the Sabbath off as much as possible.

I do not drink coffee anymore. but make myself herbal tea and use the computer on the Sabbath relating it to God's work- either communicating with people about God or watching sermons.

I do not do dishes on the Sabbath either, they can wait until after Sabbath.

I agree with you that hobbies should be done in the 6 other days God gives us.

I agree with the concept of rest and worship! Sounds like we agree on a lot of things pertaining to the Sabbath!

God is good! I love His Sabbath and look forward to it every week.

 

[Jerry N.]

Hi Jerry!

I am glad you have found the Sabbath truth.

Personally for the most part I do not think we should work on the Sabbath, but Jesus said it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, so we need doctors and nurses and firemen and police officers every day including the Sabbath, so I think there are some exceptions, but even if in these fields, they should try to take the Sabbath off as much as possible.

I do not drink coffee anymore. but make myself herbal tea and use the computer on the Sabbath relating it to God's work- either communicating with people about God or watching sermons.

I do not do dishes on the Sabbath either, they can wait until after Sabbath.

I agree with you that hobbies should be done in the 6 other days God gives us.

I agree with the concept of rest and worship! Sounds like we agree on a lot of things pertaining to the Sabbath!

God is good! I love His Sabbath and look forward to it every week.

Thanks for the response. I’m glad we agree on so many things. I probably wasn’t clear about dish washing. We have special dishes that we only use on Sabbath to make it a little more special, so after opening the Sabbath and having a nice dinner, my wife washes up so we can use the dishes on Saturday. It is also a hygiene thing with us. When it comes to doing good works on the Sabbath, we make sure all the animals are well fed and treat any illnesses or injuries.

I was blessed when it came to not working on the Sabbath. My boss complained about it a lot, but I was protected under the law.

 

[Hentenza]

If you truly want to understand God's Instruction concerning "The Way of the Lord", in my understanding, I would advise that you study the Scriptures themselves as both Paul and Jesus instruct. When you do, you will find that the Pharisees and the rebellious "Jews" were not "Sabbath Keepers" and modern religious Jews teach for doctrines the commandments of men, just as the Rabi's did in Jesus' Time.. And given all the warnings about religious men of our time, "Transforming themselves into apostles of Christ" and "many" deceivers "who come in Christ's Name", and Jesus' warnings about the future fate of many "Christians" who call Him Lord, Lord, I would "Take Heed", "Beware" and be careful of the traditions and philosophies of this world's religious system concerning any of God's instruction.

For instance, the teaching that a man can't have a fire in his home to keep him and his children warm on a Sabbath Day is absurd, and is also not taught in the Scriptures. The God and Father of all sanctified and made this Day Holy "For us", not "against us" as many promoters of this world's religions teach. True believers are "looking for a City" wherein dwells righteousness. In this life we are "preparing" in the Hope that God will accept us, (According to Paul) into this City, God's Rest. An existence apart from the wickedness of this world. In like manner, we toil and tend our "spiritual" vineyards 6 days a week, but on the 7th day, there is a fast from or rest from this toil and we "prepare" for this "rest" during the week. So if It's cold on God's Holy Sabbath, we can build a fire. But in honor and Glory and Respect for our great God, we have already gathered the sticks, split them for a fire and brought them into our home, "before" or in "preparation" for the Holy Day. We have already prepared food for us and our children. Our businesses are closed, we have already purchased everything we need for the day. It's a refuge created for us by God Himself, and it keeps us in remembrance that we are on a journey and to place our faith in God to direct us.

Exodus 35:3

Religious man have always polluted God's Sabbaths, and until Jesus comes back, they always will.

Also, there is nothing in the Bible concerning "certain distances" a man and his family can walk in fellowship, on God's Holy Sabbath. I don't think the Bible teaches it's appropriate to "Travel" to a destination, there are 6 days a week in which to "travel".

Exodus 16:29

 

[Jerry N.]

Are you talking about a Friday night dinner?

Right. My wife cooks a nice meal before opening the Sabbath and washes up the cooking utensils. Then we light the candles and say the Sabbath blessings, followed by a nice dinner. Saturday food is cold.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Right. My wife cooks a nice meal before opening the Sabbath and washes up the cooking utensils. Then we light the candles and say the Sabbath blessings, followed by a nice dinner. Saturday food is cold.

That's sounds lovely. God bless you and your family!

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Exodus 35:3

Not sure if anyone has tried to kindle a fire before but its a lot of work and hours to do. Why God made a preparation day for the Sabbath, not that He wanted everyone to freeze on the Sabbath, but kindling the fire on Friday, would keep one warm and toasty on the Sabbath

Exodus 16:29

This verse has more context that was left out

Exo 16:26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”

27 Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none. 28 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws? 29 See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.

This is referring to not going out of their tent to gather food, that was to be done in the 6th days and double portion on Friday for the Sabbath.

God clearly says the Sabbath is a holy convocation- a group gathering on the Sabbath Lev23:3

 

[Bob S]

2Cor3:6-11

6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

What was done away? The ministration of death, written and engraved on stones, the Ten Commandments.

Why is it some worry about how to observe a day that has been done away?

 

[Bob S]

Faith or Works of the Law​

3 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

 

[Jerry N.]

Faith or Works of the Law​

3 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

It is not a matter of worry. The ten commandments were not only to convince us of sin. They were good for the people of Israel to sanctify them as people of God. It pleases God to keep the commandments that He gave, so why not keep them? It is not out of fear, but to do what God said was good. We are free of the law through grace, but keeping the law is good for us. It is good to honor your parents, so we don’t dishonor our parents because because it is the right thing to do. It is good to keep the Sabbath. It helps us to focus on our relationship to God. Those who keep Sunday as the Lord’s day, do it for the same reason. They set aside a day for the Lord. It is more out of love for God than out of fear.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

2Cor3:6-11

6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

What was done away? The ministration of death, written and engraved on stones, the Ten Commandments.

Why is it some worry about how to observe a day that has been done away?

Some additional context...

2 Cor 3:3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

Clearly the law Paul is speaking about is the Ten Commandments and where did this law written on stones go? But on tablets of flesh, that is the heart.

So clearly all Ten Commandments are still intact, going from written on stone to being written in the heart. We see this in several places about the New Covenant

Jer 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their [i]hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Same law, the location changed so instead of being external, they are now internal written in the heart right where sin starts, being kept based on what God will do if we cooperate Rom8:7-8 John14:15-18

Why the whole covenant is established on better promises Heb8:6 because God promised the words of His covenant He would not alter Psa89:34 and God keeps His promises.

The ministration changed from Moses to Jesus who is our Mediator in the NC. Another much better promise from human to God.

 

[Bob S]

Some additional context...

2 Cor 3:3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

Clearly the law Paul is speaking about is the Ten Commandments and where did this law written on stones go? But on tablets of flesh, that is the heart.

So clearly all Ten Commandments are still intact, going from written on stone to being written in the heart. We see this in several places about the New Covenant

That certainly is not what the verses in 2Cor are telling us. They are telling us that the Ten were done away, and mankind is now under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 2Cor 3: does not indicate that it is referring to the Ten Commandments. We belong to the truth if we believe in the one God sent and love others as He taught. 1JN 3

Jer 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their [i]hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

What is "my Law"? Jesus made it very clear in Jn 15 that He kept Torah and we are to keep His command to love others as He loves us.
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Which laws?

Same law, the location changed so instead of being external, they are now internal written in the heart right where sin starts, being kept based on what God will do if we cooperate Rom8:7-8 John14:15-18

Why the whole covenant is established on better promises Heb8:6 because God promised the words of His covenant He would not alter Psa89:34 and God keeps His promises.

The ministration changed from Moses to Jesus who is our Mediator in the NC. Another much better promise from human to God.

So, if indeed we have a better covenant with better promises that should indicated that the covenant given to Israel was not the same one given all mankind in the New Covenant.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

That certainly is not what the verses in 2Cor are telling us. They are telling us that the Ten were done away, and mankind is now under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 2Cor 3: does not indicate that it is referring to the Ten Commandments. We belong to the truth if we believe in the one God sent and love others as He taught. 1JN 3

What is "my Law"? Jesus made it very clear in Jn 15 that He kept Torah and we are to keep His command to love others as He loves us.
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Which laws?

So, if indeed we have a better covenant with better promises that should indicated that the covenant given to Israel was not the same one given all mankind in the New Covenant.

No the Ten Commandments was not "done away with" they are in God's heavenly Temple Rev11:18-19 Rev15:5 what man will be judged on regardless if we accept them or not Rev22:14-15 Ecc 12:13-14 John12:48 Exo20:1 Exo31:18 James2:11-12 covering the law doesn't make it go away, it just makes things worse Pro28:13 John3:19-21

 

[Jerry N.]

That certainly is not what the verses in 2Cor are telling us. They are telling us that the Ten were done away, and mankind is now under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 2Cor 3: does not indicate that it is referring to the Ten Commandments. We belong to the truth if we believe in the one God sent and love others as He taught. 1JN 3

What is "my Law"? Jesus made it very clear in Jn 15 that He kept Torah and we are to keep His command to love others as He loves us.
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Which laws?

So, if indeed we have a better covenant with better promises that should indicated that the covenant given to Israel was not the same one given all mankind in the New Covenant.

The new covenant is an improvement on the old covenant. It is not that the old covenant was flawed, but that the new covenant was a fulfillment of the old covenant. From my point of view, the new covenant is an extension of the old. The new is based on grace and love, and the old is based on fear. One starts with the fear of God, and then turns to loving God and doing His will in love. Would your father rather you did his will from love or fear? Fear might keep you safe, but love is better.