The Fourth Opportunity

The Fourth Commandment states that we are to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy (Exodus 20:8-11). To keep something holy simply means to set it apart (Leviticus 20:26). That is, on the Sabbath, we are to cease from the things that we do the other six days of the week and rather do things that bring glory and honor to God (Ezekiel 20:12). So, have you set apart one day of the week where you cease doing your normal routines and rather spend time honoring God? If you cannot say “Amen”, Say “Oh, Me!”

In the original Hebrew of the Old Testament, the word “seven,” the word “Sabbath” (1), and the word “rest” are all the same basic word Shabat. Therefore, the heart of the meaning of the Sabbath is rest but not the type of rest after working hard in order to restore our strength. It simply means the ending of activities or the cessation of OUR efforts.

Furthermore, under the Old Testament or Covenant, the Sabbath day is what we now call Saturday. However, in the New Testament, the early church changed the Sabbath to Sunday in order to honor the day the Lord Jesus rose from the grave (Mark 16:9. Acts 20:7. 1 Corinthians 16:2).

The reality is that the day of the week we rest is not the issue; rather, we have a day of rest in the week. However, by aligning your day of rest to Sunday, there are many opportunities to “assemble” together in a local church (Acts 4:23-35). I use the term “assemble” versus simply attending a gathering of people at a church building. I remember to this day being taught as a young child by Esther Lowery (2) that the church was not a building but rather that we Christians are the church! (1 Peter 2:5. Ephesians 1:22,23. Romans 16:5)

That is, it is wherever Christians assemble together in one spiritual accord that we have church and not when people just simply gather together in a building. Unfortunately, this means you could religiously attend a church service every Sunday with the wrong motive (e.g., keeping rules to try and earn God’s pleasure juxtaposed to receiving His pleasure by grace through faith Ephesians 1:6. Ephesians 2:8,9), receive little to no benefit and likely become increasingly legalist and belligerent (Hebrews 12:15. Colossians 2:21-23. Colossians 2:16,17).

For example, I know of a young couple that was driving on Sunday in Chicago when their car broke down on a busy section of a downtown Interstate highway. They were in a dangerous position, so they called the local parents of the young lady for rescue; however, they stated that they were just getting ready to go into a church and consequently could not help – legalism! Legalism is being more concerned about keeping the letter of the rules than fulfilling the spirit of the rules! (Luke 10:30-37) The Bible clearly indicates that the Sabbath can be used to care for and rescue animals and children (Luke 13:15. Luke 14:5); consequently, rescuing your own children is certainly allowed and even required! (1 Timothy 5:8. Titus 2:4)

That is, the Sabbath was made to provide a day of freedom for mankind from our normal duties and not created to bring us into bondage to another set of rules (Mark 2:27). Interestingly, the fact that Jesus performed good works (e.g., healing) on the Sabbath was what caused most of the murder attempts (1) on His life by the leaders of the church of that day (Matthew 12:10-14. John 5:16-18).  

He causes everyone to stop working, so that all people may know his work. (Job 37:7)

Some might say that it is more efficient to just keep working without taking a day off. While this seems logical and reasonable, due to the continuity of workflow, we do not see our lives from God’s perspective (Proverbs 14:12. Proverbs 16:25). For example, very early in my career, I was an Instrumentation and Control Technician, and I routinely performed testing of nuclear reactor protection equipment. On one occasion, I found a faulty electronic module, replaced it, and completed that channel of testing. I had already completed testing one of the other channels without having to replace any modules. I then had a choice of completing the last channel of protection testing or taking time out for lunch break and resuming testing afterward. Normally, I would have just completed the testing before lunch, as that would have been more efficient. However, I knew in my spiritual heart (1) that I needed to take a lunch break (i.e., lunch rest) then, although I did not know why – yet. While eating lunch, the module that was just replaced failed, and that caused a reactor trip signal to be generated from that channel. If I had NOT taken lunch, then I would have been testing the last channel when the module failure occurred in the previously calibrated channel, and that would have resulted in a two out of three-channel reactor trip! This would have cost the company several million dollars in replacement power costs during the time the unit was re-started.

My point is that God our Father gave us a Sabbath day of rest because we need it – even if we cannot always understand why – similar to when I took lunch based on what some would call a hunch (2 Corinthians 5:7).

The Law of Consequence for Violating the Commandment

What if you miss going to church one or more Sundays in a row? Well, what would happen if you missed one or more meals in a row? My point is that you can survive without eating for several days; however, you will be physically weaker. The danger is found in substituting junk food for the meal you missed, and if repeated long enough, it will habitually take the place of eating balanced meals.  Long term, this can lead to serious health issues and even untimely death. Spiritually, you can miss a service or two in a row with minimal effect. However, the danger is that you find something to do on the Sabbath that appears to fill you up spiritually but is not wholesome for your spirit (Proverbs 23:3). Similarly, in the long term, this can lead to very serious life issues, even untimely death (1 Corinthians 11:27-32. 2 Timothy 4:10).

For example, I was recently on a combination of business and a pleasure trip (i.e., the pleasure of visiting my oldest son). While on this trip, I was not able to attend church two Sundays in a row. For this, I did not feel guilty as I am not attending church trying to please God but rather because it brings Him pleasure! That is, I do not attend church because I “got to” but rather because I “get to” – not good English usage, but good teaching all the same! Simply put, that is the difference between having a “religion about God” and having a “personal relationship with God.” Nevertheless, I missed and longed to attend church because I enjoy worshipping God with the “assembled” Christians that meet in a building “called” a church on Sundays! (Psalms 122:1)

In fact, I just got back from a wonderful Sunday church service. Attending church today has caused me to feel stronger spiritually and was a sober reminder that I needed some spiritual food after fasting worship service for two weeks!

“God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure. ” – A line from the movie “Chariots of Fire” attributed to Eric Liddell. Eric Liddell refused to run the 100 m race he had extensively trained for due to it occurring on a Sunday in the 1924 Olympics. This decision was based on his personal Christian convictions. However, he ran the 400 m race he had not prepared nearly as much for and broke the world record thrice in two days! That is, God honors those who honor Him!  (1 Samuel 2:30).

The Opportunity of Blessing for Keeping the Commandment

If we choose to observe the Sabbath day of rest (whatever day that is for you, (Romans 14:5-7)) then you will be blessed by God (Isaiah 58:13,14). However, factor in that even with the Sabbath day of rest we must still find time to spiritually “assemble” ourselves with others in the family of God (Hebrews 10:25) so that we can worship Him with our spirits via the Holy Spirit (1) (John 4:23,24. John 15:26 ). Sunday happens to be a day where both can be done and in addition, we honor Jesus Christ on the day He was raised from the dead who is the Lord of the Sabbath! (Matthew 12:8) Some churches have another service on Sunday night that is a replica of the morning services for those who work a night shift.

Realize, just as a burning ember removed from the fire will quickly cool off and be extinguished, we too need to fellowship with one another in the Body of Christ so that we have the hope, strength, and vision to victoriously fulfill our God-given destiny (Proverbs 18:1).

Finally, realize there is only one genuine Sabbath or rest, and that is the Sabbath or rest that Jesus Christ gives, the rest of remission and forgiveness of sins, the rest of ceasing from striving to be right and of being found righteous in Him. The rest of NOT having to earn security, significance, and self-worth by performing well enough every day that we obtain the approval of others but rather because we are approved forever by God in Jesus Christ based on His flawless performance. This is the Gospel of Peace! (1) (Ephesians 2:13-18). 

I pray that this rest is yours today (1)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” (Matthew 11:28–30 NET)

Therefore we must be wary that, while the promise of entering his rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it. For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in with those who heard it in faith.For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’ ” And yet God’s works were accomplished from the foundation of the world. For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,”but to repeat the text cited earlier: “They will never enter my rest!” Therefore it remains for some to enter it, yet those to whom it was previously proclaimed did not enter because of disobedience. So God again ordains a certain day, “Today,” speaking through David after so long a time, as in the words quoted before, “O, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken afterward about another day. Consequently a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God. For the one who enters God’s rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works. Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help. (Hebrews 4:1–16 NET)

God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NET)

The Ten Commandments Series:

• The Ten Opportunities
• The Tenth Opportunity
• The Ninth Opportunity
• The Eighth Opportunity
• The Seventh Opportunity
• The Sixth Opportunity
• The Fifth Opportunity
• The Fourth Opportunity
• The Third Opportunity
• The Second Opportunity
• The First Opportunity
• The Null Opportunity

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Shalom
(Security, Wholeness, Success)
Peace

Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 
(3 John 1:2 NET)

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(1) Select the link to open another article with additional information in a new tab.

(2) Esther Lowery (August 10, 1923 – July 17, 2013) is the mother of Dr. Charles Lowery and the wife of my childhood pastor Fred Lowery, Sr. (September 28, 1919 – January 22, 1993).