Morality of the Sabbath

In my years of knowing and sharing the truth of God's word with others,
I thought all the reasons that could be presented against the observance
of the Sabbath as detailed in the Ten Commandments had been heard (see
Exodus 20: 8-11), until this one was presented. I cannot quote the whole
argument, but the focus of attention was directed against keeping the
Sabbath because it was asserted that while the other nine commandments
have to do with morality, the fourth does not.

To understand this better, we first need to examine the word "moral" and
discover its close associate "morality."

Moral means: Of, or relating to, principles of right and wrong in behavior.

Morality is a doctrine or system of moral conduct. We can see that both of
these words have to do with conduct and behavior.

In the Ten Commandments we find principles that affect our worship of God
and our duty to our fellowmen. But to some, right in the middle is this Sabbath
commandment; and it seems to them that it would be much better if it weren't
there.

We know we are to worship God, and not bow down to idols.

Speaking God's name in an irreverent manner isn't appropriate.

Honoring your parents is good.

As for killing... most people will agree that we should not kill.

There are still people today who believe in the sacredness of marriage
and the family unit and would uphold it until death would part them.

Stealing is not a good thing to practice, because it brings loss and hurt
to others and sorrow to yourself if you get caught.

Lying and coveting things that aren't yours has long been known to
present problems in every society, even though people still do these
things.

Most people would agree that the foundation of the Ten Commandments
has helped keep the world together; and the world recognizes their
value in theory, though not always in practice.

The Sabbath, however, has long been an issue in many minds as to whether
it should be kept or not, which day it really is, and whether we are still
required to hold it as an important principle of God's kingdom.

What does the Sabbath have to do with our behavior and moral conduct?
To answer this question we will turn to the Scriptures.

The Bible states:

For this is the will of God,
even your sanctification...
1 Thessalonians 4:3

Sanctification is the process whereby God prepares us for eternity. We cannot
enter heaven today, because our sins have not yet been overcome; and no sin
will be allowed in that holy place. Sanctification is the work of setting God's
people apart for a holy purpose. It takes a lifetime to mature and perfect our
characters so we may fill the place the Lord would have us fill, and so we may
see, and be with, Him forever. We know, too, that sin is rebellion against God
and His law. It is the highest form of treason against His government. God's will
is that in this life we prove ourselves true in every way to all His commands and
show that we can be trusted to be faithful beyond a shadow of a doubt both now
and in the new world, where sin will never rise again. Jesus prayed that the will
of His Father might be done:

...as in heaven, so in earth....
Luke 11:2

If we love God, it will be our delight to obey Him in whatever He commands.

When we relate these things to the Sabbath, we can see that God commanded
it for a purpose. It is His will. The very first word of the fourth commandment,
lest we forget, is "Remember." It was to be remembered from the start - when
it was first given at creation - as a memorial of His creative power, declaring
that He is the only God of the universe. In observing the Sabbath according to
the commandment, we show that we recognize His ownership of the world and
of our lives. We acknowledge Him as our Lord and God and show that we are
willing to be obedient to the direction He has set forth for our good and
happiness.

The value of the Sabbath is clearly stated:

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily My sabbaths ye
shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations;
that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you... It is a sign
between Me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made
heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed.
And He gave unto Moses, when He had made an end of communing with him
upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone,
written with the finger of God.
Exodus 31: 13, 17, 18

If we obey the principles of this commandment according to God's
direction, all our conduct and behavior can be brought into harmony
with His will. It is the highest form of loyalty to be in complete obedience
to the King of the universe, and there is nothing more moral than this.

This article was written
by Chris Teske

Visda Point Design by C. Teske
E-Mail: visdapoint@sbcglobal.net