Shouldn't I? We've now had several people claim that there are consequences/punishment for those who fail to keep the sabbath. Shouldn't I explore what I need to do in order to avoid such punishment?
There are many who view the sabbath as a critical issue, even a salvational one. And these same folks are unable to explain what it is that you need to do in order to satisfy the sabbath keeping requirement. Something seems to be missing.
BFA
P.S. Disclaimer: I realize that not all sabbatarians view sabbath keeping as a salvational issue. However, my comments relate to the teachings of the SDA denomination and not to the views of each individual sabbatarian.
I hope I did not convey the idea that the Sabbath is unimportant. God wrote it in stone - a medium meant to be permanent and not subject to change. That stone was then incorporated into His throne in the Sanctuary. Embedded in the Sabbath is the seal of authority for the whole law and even His throne. Among the last words of Jesus recorded in the Bible are these: "
14Blessed 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." So it is crucial. BUT there is an even more vital aspect.
Let's look at a couple details from Romans 14. The chapter opens, "
1Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations." Then he proceeds to give a couple of examples like what one eats and how one regards some day special. Does eating have in important place in maintaining mind and body? Are we not indeed discussing how we are to regard a special day? Are these not important topics of considerable value
in the right context? Assuredly, Yes. Now let's look at the last verse in the chapter, "
23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Ouch! The Pharisees were great for a multitude of rules about Sabbath observance yet Jesus brushed that all aside. There is no,
no code by which to assure proper Sabbath observance. In my post I noted some minimal points. Other posts have brought more details forward from which we can glean, hopefully, not more rules but some principles.
I was perusing the Law one day and caught a detail in the 10th commandment: "Thou shalt not covet..." Coveting is a state of mind - not a behavioral code. In fact, coveting preceeds breaking any of those commandments called out before this one. That is what lead me to take a second look at the 4th and realize that it too is fulfilled as a frame of mind that reveals itself in complimentary behavior. Some broad and limited behavioral specifications are provided as starting points. "God is love." A key ingredient of love is faith. "Remember..." is also a function of thought.
In facing all this we realize our brokeness and deficiency. That is what the Law is for. This we bring to God in prayer and confession. We express our desire to become as He desires. He then has permission to work in us according to His will (1 John 1:9) and resolve that "something missing."
One of the most touching prayers in the Bible is this one: "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" Mark 9:24. Jesus promptly complied.