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"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Man was not made
for the coming of Christ; Christ came to redeem man."
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Holy Day Of Obligation Or Obligation To Be Holy
Brian Culliton
"In the beginning…" - the perfect opening to the greatest story ever told. When we hear
the words "greatest story ever told" most of think of the teachings, passion, crucifixion,
and resurrection of Christ. But how many of us think of the entire Bible as the story of
our Savior?
We know, for instance, that Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies, and that Adam was a type
of the Christ, but how much more is there that we let slide past our understanding. I'm
convinced there's a lot more "Christ" in the Old Testament than most of us realize. And
one of those Old Testament types seems to slide past most of us like a greased pig. It's
called the Sabbath and many Christians have no idea what it's supposed to mean for them.
The fourth commandment says this:
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your
work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no
work: …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." (Exd. 20:8-11)
This commandment has been the topic of much debate among Christian denominations. In 364
CE, the Council of Laodicea ordered that religious observances be held on Sunday because
this is the day our Lord rose from the dead. Therefore, Catholics and some Protestants
say Sabbath must be observed on Sunday. Seventh Day Adventists say no; Saturday is the
day we must observe the Sabbath. But is this debate even in the right arena? Maybe
instead of debating which day to observe we should first try to understand what the
Sabbath is.
First, remember to whom the commandments were given, not to the Gentiles but to God's
chosen people the Jews. Why, because out of them would come the Messiah who would obey
the Law completely - a thing that the Jews simply could not do. The Law was given to the
Jews to observe according to the flesh, but Messiah would fulfill the Law and make it
alive in all who believe in the Holy One of God.
Because He atoned for our sins and because we believe, we are not under the Law but under
grace. Does this make the Law void? No, it means the Law of God is written in our hearts
or at least it should be. Jesus did not come to take away the Law, but to fulfill it.
God sanctified the seventh day because He completed His work - foreshadowing the completed
work of salvation. On the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished," thus completing the work
of God for our redemption. The Sabbath points to Christ - He is our rest. Jesus said,
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Mat. 11:28)
He also said that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Man was not made
for the coming of Christ; Christ came to redeem man.
In the Catholic Church it is considered a grave sin to miss mass on Sunday or any other day
of obligation without a good excuse. This is a clear contradiction to the teaching of the
Apostle Paul. Paul wrote to the Colossians: "So let no one judge you in food or in drink,
or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbath days." (2:16). Paul explains that we are
buried with Christ in baptism (of the Spirit) and raised with Him through faith, thus,
blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, nailing it to His cross.
He also said that we are complete in Him. So why should we obey ordinances that come from
men and are the traditions of men?
There is no Sabbath day for Christians because Christ is our Sabbath. We are not obligated
to holy days; we are obligated to be holy always. We are not commanded to do no work on
Sunday; we are commanded to do the work of God always. We worship God because we love Him,
not because we are forced. The Law, Prophets, and commandments are fully complete in
Christ. Our duty is to follow Him because He is our Mercy Seat and the perfect witness
of the Father who came for our transgressions and showed us the way of life.
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)
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