“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” The fourth commandment of God is mostly forgotten by Christians today. It is interesting to consider that the Creator of the universe saw fit to demonstrate its importance when He fashioned the heavens and earth.

“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” (Genesis 2:2) Was God tired? Of course not. Our Father in heaven was establishing the importance of a day of rest and worship. Rest from the routine of all our labor. If we are not able to accomplish our work in six days, we’re too busy. Actually, nearly all employers use a five-day schedule today. Except for certain special cases, most of us don’t have to labor on the Lord’s Day. We just choose to. The sad fact is that believers joined with the world in making Sunday just another day of the week. As Christians, we celebrate the Lord’s Day as our worship time, but the principle still applies – one rest day in seven. And to worship our God and Savior. We need Sunday to reinforce our commitment to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ who died for us. Every believer should be committed to setting aside the Lord’s Day for Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other Christians. Yes, the entire day. Invite your family guests to worship with you; going on to church is a better witness than indulging them. Not because the Law of God requires it. Instead, our love for Jesus Christ, if sincere, will result in seeking to please Him, and in desiring to grow spiritually. Therefore, if any activity (family-related or otherwise) interferes with corporate worship, our priorities are confused. We are instructed to exhort each other, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some,” (Hebrews 10:25)

Sin cera, Erik

Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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