Genesis 2:2-3

Many believe it is, and entire denominations have been formed around this one teaching. We sometimes classify these seventh-day folks as “cultists” and perhaps some of them are. But I would be careful in assigning that title to anyone who sincerely believes the seventh-day Sabbath be relevant. There are actually several obstacles in the way of a Sunday observation, you know:

• Nowhere does the Scripture define Sunday as the New Testament Sabbath, in the sense of “day of rest”.
• The Sabbath, like the tithe, is not from the Law of Moses, not from Sinai, but is from the beginning, right here in Genesis.
• Can God un-sanctify a day He sanctified?
• Is the seventh day not still the day when God rested from His labors? History cannot change.
• Was not the first church a very Jewish church, and therefore given over to seventh-day observance?
• Does Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, demand that Gentile converts switch to the first day, for rest?
• Did Jesus ever honor the first day, or ask His disciples to do so?
• Are not the greatest works of all times, first-day events? The creation’s beginning, the raising of Jesus from the dead, the pouring out of the Spirit. These do not speak of rest, but of labor, the Lord’s labor.
• Did not Jesus Himself rest on the seventh day, even including that final Sabbath here, in the tomb?

Much of these arguments are from silence and speculation, and I never want to base a practice or a teaching on flimsy evidence. But the evidence for a Sunday observance is 95% based on the church’s tradition. The Catholic Church even boasts to Protestants, that she is the one who gave us the first-day observance, not the Scriptures.

There is Biblical evidence for meetings, offerings, communion, on the first day. “Having Church” seems to be a Sunday thing. But we were speaking about a universal day of rest for God’s people. I have trouble finding anywhere in the Bible that God has changed His feelings about that first glorious week of creation. The joy that filled His heart on the seventh day was to be felt by His people for a long time.

Ah, but you say, we are not under the law, but under grace! The fourth commandment is not binding on God’s people any longer!

But what of the fifth and sixth and all the rest? Has God changed His mind about murder and theft and adultery? Of course not! God works His law into our hearts by His Spirit. I believe that the fourth commandment can be worked into a man’s practices as well as all the rest, by that same Spirit. No one is talking about finding favor with God by keeping the Old Testament Law! One is talking about loving the things He loves, due to our new nature in Him.

But another will say, is not our rest in Jesus now? Is not the true Sabbath, forgiveness of sin in our Savior? True enough, but the fullness does not do away with the picture of that fullness. When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are participating in a picture that points to a reality nearly beyond our comprehension. A reminder, as often as we take it, of how much Jesus loves us. The Sabbath is a picture too. As we rest physically, we meditate on our eternal rest. We contemplate the inner rest He has provided.

Nevertheless, each person must investigate the Lord’s heart through His Word and decide what God is actually saying. “Let each man be fully persuaded in his own heart” is, I believe, the guiding principle that the apostle would leave us with.

Personally, I like to “kick back” on the seventh day. I deliberately do nothing that isn’t necessary. I enjoy prayer and the Word and a walk in the woods. No rules on that day. Just enjoy my freedom in Him.

And the next day I am in my place at church, working hard sometimes to fulfill whatever ministries the church has me to do. It is hardly a day of rest for me. Pastors will tell you that they work harder on that day than any day of the week! Many of them have decided that Monday is their “day of rest.”

Things have gotten a little backward, in my opinion. And while we’re talking about backwards, we should be having the discussion of Isaiah’s sort of Sabbath, the kind God had in mind all along, whichever day you prefer. Isaiah 58:

“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath

and from doing as you please on my holy day,

if you call the Sabbath a delight

and the Lord’s holy day honorable,

and if you honor it by not going your own way

and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

then you will find your joy in the Lord,

and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land

and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”

Those portions I have italicized would cancel out Sunday “obligation” at church, followed by an afternoon of football or baseball, and gorging ones’ self. Even my own way of keeping the day needs some changing.

For an extra special delight on your sabbath, read the rest of Isaiah 58 that talks about a fast that the Lord loves.