"So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of Yahweh. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as Yahweh did from His..." ~Hebrews 4:11
The Holy Book says that there is a rest that remains. What is this? It's something different than the Old Testament's Sabbath Day commandments. It's something that rendered the Old obsolete. It's a Rest that transcends practical judgement, because God wants to have our hearts (2 Cor. 5:16). Rest is a state of being that remains.
Why did God rest from His works? Because Jesus was telling the truth when He cried out on the cross: "IT IS FINISHED" (John 19:30). And If God is still resting, content with the fulfillment of His Redeeming plan, then we should follow His example and rest too!
"...Let us make every effort, therefore, to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience." ~Hebrews 4:12
Entering God's rest, truly, constantly and unconditionally keeping it, may take a lot of effort. It may take a lot of faith. But what are we, that we could have "a lot" of anything? What are we, that Yahweh is mindful of us (Psalms 8:4)? Remember that it's His Work that gets us there, and not our own. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Our only work, our "every effort", should only be made concerning our belief. That's the work that God expects, demands from us. Are we really believing? Hopefully so --cause that's all that Yahshua wants (John 6:29). Everything else will flow out from that -- the rest is up to you. Faith + trust = Rest.
Now, I'm not contradicting my previous post on the Sabbath. The commandment has been good, and it continues to be good (Romans 7:12). Keeping a physical Sabbath may well just be an intermediate tool; a way to ensure that we are doing everything that day with intention and joy. It might serve as a wonderful stepping stone that helps you grasp the spiritual symbolism involved. The Sabbath provokes internal inspection...are we doing things out of obligation, or are we seeing our time as being redeemed by God? Don't be enslaved by your own business (Gal. 5:1). That's not God's best for you. I think observing a Sabbath that excludes any compulsive act (2 Cor. 9:7) is a great idea.
The next question is...On what day? Should you observe Saturday, Sunday, the Jewish lunar calendar, or the lunar-solar calendar? There are fringe groups out there who would claim that their approach to all this is the only way. Who cares? Paul called such topics "disputable matters" (Romans 14:1).
Like I said, there remains a Sabbath that transcends physicality. God wants you to be so thankful for every moment, that even the hardest work you do is still purely Rest. He wants you to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He wants you to carry such a heavy awareness of Him that any of your own efforts are blotted out by His monumental Light.
It's OK to be blinded by love. Yahweh wants us to take our eyes off ourselves so we can enjoy Heavenly, blissful rest.
Showing posts with label Sabbath. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sabbath. Show all posts
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Saturday, January 9, 2016
On Keeping the Sabbath: The Holy Day
"Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations for a perpetual covenant..." ~Exodus 31:16
Shabbat Shalom! I've been thinking about the Sabbath a lot recently. I've been wondering about just what it means to keep the Sabbath out of reverence for Yahweh.
It's clear that the Sabbath was built to last. It's referred to by Yahweh as a "perpetual covenant", a lasting ordinance, a statue meant to be kept forever (Ex. 12:14). The Sabbath is even counted and kept in Heaven (Isaiah 66:23). And it's meant to be kept by the Children of Israel, the children and heirs to the promise. Guess what? You're an heir to the promise (Gal. 3:29). You're included in spiritual Israel!
"...It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel for ever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed." ~Exodus 31:17
The Sabbath is a sign. It symbolizes rest, completion, fulfillment, contentment. It symbolizes the creation of a finished work. It requires trust -- trust enough to deny oneself and look to Yahweh as provider (Lev. 16:31).
The law points us to Messiah (Colossians 2:17), and Messiah gives us His Spirit, allowing us to perfect holiness before God (2nd Cor. 7:1). The flavor of the Law has more than been changed -- it has been fulfilled (Matthew 5:17). The law of love perfects us from the inside out. But how does that play out practically? What does keeping the Sabbath Day look like, today? Here's a clue:
And He [Yahshua] said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
~Mark 2:27
The Sabbath was instated for our own good. We get the benefit of giving our time to God. We can enjoy everything, and do everything willingly. Not under compulsion, but willingly (2nd Cor. 9:7)! That's a weighty thing to get a hold of. Don't feel like doing something? Then put it off.
"Love God, and do whatever" ~ St. Augustine
I didn't do a single thing this past Sabbath day that I didn't want to do. It was very restful; Everything was enjoyable. Everything was intentionally done, and I thanked my Heavenly Father for it all. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7, again), and then He lets us love Him back. Thanks to Him, there was no "work". I did some chores, yeah, but that didn't count. Why? Because I gave my time to the Breath that first gave it to me. I was able to be restfully thankful for it. He created such bliss for me, for you.
The definition of work's been redefined (Hebrews 4:10). If you enjoy something, it's not work. If you remain peaceful while doing random stuff, it's not work. It's lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:12). And what is good? Hopefully everything you do! There remains a Sabbath Day;s Rest that transcends observing any particular day of the week...but more on this in the next blog post.
If for no other reason, keeping the Sabbath day to give your physical body some rest is definitely a good idea. Lots of Christians, out of zeal for the Lord, have gotten burnt out by neglecting their bodies. They're fallen out of "ministry", or worse, even died young. The Sabbath was created for us -- for our health, relaxation, and holy enjoyment! It's supposed to be restful and fun.
(To reiterate, if you don't feel like doing something, then don't do it!)
Shabbat Shalom! I've been thinking about the Sabbath a lot recently. I've been wondering about just what it means to keep the Sabbath out of reverence for Yahweh.
It's clear that the Sabbath was built to last. It's referred to by Yahweh as a "perpetual covenant", a lasting ordinance, a statue meant to be kept forever (Ex. 12:14). The Sabbath is even counted and kept in Heaven (Isaiah 66:23). And it's meant to be kept by the Children of Israel, the children and heirs to the promise. Guess what? You're an heir to the promise (Gal. 3:29). You're included in spiritual Israel!
"...It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel for ever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed." ~Exodus 31:17
The Sabbath is a sign. It symbolizes rest, completion, fulfillment, contentment. It symbolizes the creation of a finished work. It requires trust -- trust enough to deny oneself and look to Yahweh as provider (Lev. 16:31).
The law points us to Messiah (Colossians 2:17), and Messiah gives us His Spirit, allowing us to perfect holiness before God (2nd Cor. 7:1). The flavor of the Law has more than been changed -- it has been fulfilled (Matthew 5:17). The law of love perfects us from the inside out. But how does that play out practically? What does keeping the Sabbath Day look like, today? Here's a clue:
And He [Yahshua] said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
~Mark 2:27
The Sabbath was instated for our own good. We get the benefit of giving our time to God. We can enjoy everything, and do everything willingly. Not under compulsion, but willingly (2nd Cor. 9:7)! That's a weighty thing to get a hold of. Don't feel like doing something? Then put it off.
"Love God, and do whatever" ~ St. Augustine
I didn't do a single thing this past Sabbath day that I didn't want to do. It was very restful; Everything was enjoyable. Everything was intentionally done, and I thanked my Heavenly Father for it all. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7, again), and then He lets us love Him back. Thanks to Him, there was no "work". I did some chores, yeah, but that didn't count. Why? Because I gave my time to the Breath that first gave it to me. I was able to be restfully thankful for it. He created such bliss for me, for you.
The definition of work's been redefined (Hebrews 4:10). If you enjoy something, it's not work. If you remain peaceful while doing random stuff, it's not work. It's lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:12). And what is good? Hopefully everything you do! There remains a Sabbath Day;s Rest that transcends observing any particular day of the week...but more on this in the next blog post.
If for no other reason, keeping the Sabbath day to give your physical body some rest is definitely a good idea. Lots of Christians, out of zeal for the Lord, have gotten burnt out by neglecting their bodies. They're fallen out of "ministry", or worse, even died young. The Sabbath was created for us -- for our health, relaxation, and holy enjoyment! It's supposed to be restful and fun.
(To reiterate, if you don't feel like doing something, then don't do it!)
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