Have you noticed that often when we talk about keeping the Sabbath someone will say it is legalism. I have noticed that it is more and more frequent when we talk about holy living that someone will use the words legalistic, Pharisee or judgemental. Some of our people are genuinely confused. Is it possible to be legalistic, a Pharisee or judgemental? When is a person one and when is it a false allegation?
I avoid stealing when I enter a retail establishment. I do my best to be honest. I have never cheated on my wife. Is this legalism? Why is it legalism to try and keep the Sabbath, but not to honor your father or mother? There is no logic in these arguments against Sabbath keeping.
Keeping the commands of God is not legalism in my "Good Book"I see the changing priorities every where I go these day's. The Church is drifting into dangerous ground when you hear people say that keeping the Sabbath is legalism inour own church. Faith based on loyalty is now replaced by a simple
nicey-nice trip down manipulation lane
Have you noticed that often when we talk about keeping the Sabbath someone will say it is legalism. I have noticed that it is more and more frequent when we talk about holy living that someone will use the words legalistic, Pharisee or judgemental. Some of our people are genuinely confused. Is it possible to be legalistic, a Pharisee or judgemental? When is a person one and when is it a false allegation?I find it odd that people who would never think of committing murder or robbery see no harm in violating the sabbath. The sabbath seems to have no moral significance to so many people. And yet it is the ONLY one of the ten that has the word, "REMEMBER" included in its message to us.I doubt any would think it legalistic to say, "Don't steal". "Or don't kill". But remind them the sabbath is holy and they go ballistic.I have a theory. People like to do it...."My way". They willingly go to church, pay tithes, offerings, help with the church program, but after church or on days they don't attend, they want to do what pleases them. And they don't want you telling them that's wrong.Here is what God's word has to say about it.Isa.58:13If 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.See the word "pleasure" in that statement?I think it is about pride. Me, I, my way.I firmly believe it is never legalistic to obey the sabbath any more than it is to obey the other nine commandments.