LoL, gotta love that last line, implying that I do not require Bible consistency! Very loving... not.
In my opinion, the Sabbath-(keeping) was very much "voided" in the sense that it's an external thing like the rest of
the 10 Commandments and every other law of the O.C.
Scripture is very clear that with the coming of the New Covenant, the Old Covenant passes away... all of it, Commandments especially.
For example:
Eph. 2:14-16 (ESV) 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Furthermore, the writers of the New Testament give many warnings to Christians to avoid the false gospel of those that try to incorporate aspects of the O.C./Law into the finished work of Jesus Christ. Doing that kinda' "un-does" what Christ did for us.
Gal. 2:21 (ESV) I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
And I'm aware that many folks that hold similar beliefs to yours, try to insist that you're not saying that keeping the Law aides in our salvation... the message still comes out that if we don't keep the Law, we are sinning, and therefore might lose our salvation. And that is so contrary to the Gospel and Scripture, that it really makes me sad and angry. Sad for the people still living under the curse of the Law and angry that you teach others to do the same. (But God is in control of these things, and I find peace in that).
The thing that I think that a lot of Christians misunderstand about this subject is that while Scripture is clear that we are no longer under any of the Law... it's also clear that God's Law is written on our hearts and minds.
See, God's laws can be also seen as God's will for mankind. And God is immutable. So, any "moral" aspects of God's Law/will remain and are, most importantly, in us. The O.C. is all external, while the N.C. is internal. The Old is all about the flesh/carnal man... the New is all about the spiritual man/life. There is no more list of Do's and Don'ts... we now have an intimate relationship with God and have actual access to God, through Jesus Christ... we can enter into the Holy of Holies, which was not possible under the O.C. And with that intimate relationship, God through His Holy Spirit sanctifies us daily, teaching us how follow His will (or if you prefer, follow His Law).
We, who hold similar beliefs to my own, aren't "introducing" a method of willful sin... we stand in the presence of God every day... and we strive to do His will as any child would want to be obedient to his Loving Father. Nobody can accuse us of anything anymore, as God is dealing with each of in a very unique way. And it is life-changing, and glorious.
(BTW, the same is true of the promises of the O.C., follow the commandments and life and the land will go well with you. Whereas, in the N.C., we aren't promised a great life here on earth, but we are given great spiritual rewards/benefits both now and increasingly better in eternity with Glory!)
Regardless, the commandments were and are unobtainable in this life... all of them, even the 10. Jesus showed that when He spoke about, thou shalt not kill also includes the idea of having a demeaning attitude towards your brother... as you showed me with the implication that I don't look for Bible consistency.
And the stuff He said about not committing adultery goes deeper into lusting in our hearts after someone. The point being, as humans we are totally incapable of not sinning, somehow, somewhere. I often wonder about people that cling to the 10 Commandments how well they do at honoring their parents? In today's society it seems that people think that they are honoring of their parents by simply not (grossly) dishonoring them, lol. I think the idea of honoring parents was much, much different back in ancient Jewish culture. So, if you think that you are keeping the Sabbath the way that God intended way back then... I'd be interested to know how you're doing that! However, I'd prefer you to realize that the Sabbath is type or shadow of Jesus Himself, and the rest that we take is having faith in His finished work. That is true rest... a true sabbath.
If you want to keep the Commandments because it seems good to you... fine by me. I just think that shaming others for not continuing to live under the curse isn't a good thing. Sorry to be so long-winded.
In my opinion, the Sabbath-(keeping) was very much "voided" in the sense that it's an external thing like the rest of
the 10 Commandments and every other law of the O.C.
Scripture is very clear that with the coming of the New Covenant, the Old Covenant passes away... all of it, Commandments especially.
For example:
Eph. 2:14-16 (ESV) 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Furthermore, the writers of the New Testament give many warnings to Christians to avoid the false gospel of those that try to incorporate aspects of the O.C./Law into the finished work of Jesus Christ. Doing that kinda' "un-does" what Christ did for us.
Gal. 2:21 (ESV) I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
And I'm aware that many folks that hold similar beliefs to yours, try to insist that you're not saying that keeping the Law aides in our salvation... the message still comes out that if we don't keep the Law, we are sinning, and therefore might lose our salvation. And that is so contrary to the Gospel and Scripture, that it really makes me sad and angry. Sad for the people still living under the curse of the Law and angry that you teach others to do the same. (But God is in control of these things, and I find peace in that).
The thing that I think that a lot of Christians misunderstand about this subject is that while Scripture is clear that we are no longer under any of the Law... it's also clear that God's Law is written on our hearts and minds.
See, God's laws can be also seen as God's will for mankind. And God is immutable. So, any "moral" aspects of God's Law/will remain and are, most importantly, in us. The O.C. is all external, while the N.C. is internal. The Old is all about the flesh/carnal man... the New is all about the spiritual man/life. There is no more list of Do's and Don'ts... we now have an intimate relationship with God and have actual access to God, through Jesus Christ... we can enter into the Holy of Holies, which was not possible under the O.C. And with that intimate relationship, God through His Holy Spirit sanctifies us daily, teaching us how follow His will (or if you prefer, follow His Law).
We, who hold similar beliefs to my own, aren't "introducing" a method of willful sin... we stand in the presence of God every day... and we strive to do His will as any child would want to be obedient to his Loving Father. Nobody can accuse us of anything anymore, as God is dealing with each of in a very unique way. And it is life-changing, and glorious.
(BTW, the same is true of the promises of the O.C., follow the commandments and life and the land will go well with you. Whereas, in the N.C., we aren't promised a great life here on earth, but we are given great spiritual rewards/benefits both now and increasingly better in eternity with Glory!)
Regardless, the commandments were and are unobtainable in this life... all of them, even the 10. Jesus showed that when He spoke about, thou shalt not kill also includes the idea of having a demeaning attitude towards your brother... as you showed me with the implication that I don't look for Bible consistency.
And the stuff He said about not committing adultery goes deeper into lusting in our hearts after someone. The point being, as humans we are totally incapable of not sinning, somehow, somewhere. I often wonder about people that cling to the 10 Commandments how well they do at honoring their parents? In today's society it seems that people think that they are honoring of their parents by simply not (grossly) dishonoring them, lol. I think the idea of honoring parents was much, much different back in ancient Jewish culture. So, if you think that you are keeping the Sabbath the way that God intended way back then... I'd be interested to know how you're doing that! However, I'd prefer you to realize that the Sabbath is type or shadow of Jesus Himself, and the rest that we take is having faith in His finished work. That is true rest... a true sabbath.If you want to keep the Commandments because it seems good to you... fine by me. I just think that shaming others for not continuing to live under the curse isn't a good thing. Sorry to be so long-winded.
