Subject: Are we supposed to observe the Sabbath? |
Bible Note: Dear Searcher: Please think with me. We are spending time here on things that do not matter; and in the process we are causing harm. Can you take a moment to think about it? We are discussing whether we should keep the Sabbath or not. Some say we should, and by the was the Sabbath is Saturday. Some say we should, but the Sabbath is Sunday. Some say we should take time every day to reflect and to worship the Lord. Some claim the freedom God has given us and we will use that freedom. We will not be dictated to by anyone. We believe that that would mean being entangled with the yoke of bondage again. So why does this discussion go on and on? In the meantime, in the discussion is a sister who believes, like most, that Sunday is the day to worship. She tries to justify that stance by quoting a brother who believes that way. The statement that the brother makes is weak and unconvincing. But now we hound the sister for having quoted him. The sister is confused and embarrassed and discouraged. She begs, “Please get off my back”. But we won’t. We hound her right off the forum. Now I know we may say, “No we didn’t”, “It’s her fault”, etc. But I say it’s because we do not stop to think what we are doing. You say, “she quoted ... and she didn't check if it was true”. For you, that means she is against Christ. Please. You say, “Attributing something to Him that is not true is a problem that I have”. If I may, I’d like to suggest that you do not mean to say, “Attributing something to Him that is not true is a problem that I have”. That may communicate that you are the one “attributing something to him that is not true”. Of course, that is not the case. You have a problem when you perceive that someone else is attributing something to Him that is not true. Your problem, in this case, is a problem we all have. It is the problem of expressing ourselves clearly. The Lord has left it this way, I think, to give us an opportunity to employ patience and love, and honor, giving the other person the benefit of any doubt. In other words, imagine she is not expressing herself clearly. Imagine she has not understood the person she is quoting. Imagine that she is using a useless premise to justify a correct action. That might be harder, but it is more loving than to assume that she is blaspheming and speaking against Christ. And language, language, language. Most of us have so much problem with the English language. We compound, I think, by bringing in the Hebrew and the Greek. “sabbavtwn means the end”. What does that mean? But you say, “sabbavtwn means the end is not correct”. Meanwhile, most of us have no idea what you are talking about. You may say we should go learn Greek, but listening to all of this, we are not convinced that it would help. Take this thing about passive tense. Someone wants to tell us that “They are gathered” means something different from “They have gathered”. Does that mean that “They have gone” is also different from “They are gone”? We need not try to adorn this presentation of language facts with any robe of piety or religiosity. These disputations over words are not productive. There is a negative side, however. They are causing some of our brothers and sisters to stumble. Once again 2Timothy 2:14. I (No, Paul. No, the Lord does) remind believers about these things, and warn them in the sight of God not to quarrel over words. Quarreling doesn't do any good but only destroys those who are listening. So I say, “Enough already”. I think it is not good English, but I hope it communicates. Let us not judge one another. Let us not put an occasion of stumbling before one another. Specifically, in this case, I think you should apologize to Kathy for judging her and for expressing that she is against Christ, that she was proclaiming another gospel, etc. Was the gospel even in question here? To say, “… you are against Christ …”! O, how that must have hurt! About that, I am guessing. Kathy is not talking any more, and only she knows for sure. There is not doubt, however, about the reason for her leaving. She stated it. We could say we know her heart better than she does, that the real reason … But I say, “Enough already”. Leave people alone. Let them worship God whenever they will. Aren’t you glad they are worshipping God? You may not agree that they are. But the word says, “He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord”. The sister is worshipping the Lord on Sunday. It is probably the same for you. So what is the cause to offend her? The words she used to justify it? “Don't say anything that would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you” (Ephesians 4:29). I trust that this post does that. |