Why does keeping seventh-day Sabbath = Salvation by works?

[chips1024]

I am very confused and need some information please.

I read an article this weekend that says keeping the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) holy is the same thing as Salvation by Works. My basic understanding of salvation by works is that we need to do something in order to be saved, as opposed to salvation being the free gift of God - salvation by faith.
Now I don't believe that we can work our way to heaven and fully believe that it is simply the Grace of God that allows anyone to be anything, so I don't subscribe to the salvation by works doctrine. However, my question is why do people equate keeping the seventh-day Sabbath holy (I am NOT talking about going to church, worshiping, etc, etc) to salvation by works?

All the arguments given for NOT keeping Saturday as Sabbath can all be used for not keeping Sunday.
Example:
They say in the New Testament, it is not commanded to keep Sabbath holy. Neither is it commanded to keep Sunday.
They say the apostles met on first day of the week. Well the apostles/disciples met on Saturday, and on Sunday and on other days of the week too. So we can't just choose what verses we want and verses to support both days can be found.

Adding to that, the website then follows up add on verses like Romans 14:5
"One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind."
and Colossians 2:16
"Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath."

And then uses these verses to substantiate why keeping seventh-day sabbath is salvation by works.
These verses specifically say that each one should be fully convinced in his own mind about what day to regard and also that we are not to pass judgement on keeping festivals and sabbaths.

Yet, are they not doing exactly that by judging those that keep the seventh-day Sabbath as a Sabbath and esteem that day as they are fully convinced in their minds? By calling it Salvation by works (the website called it Sabbatarian or something like that), they are doing the exact thing the verse tells us not to do by passing judgement on the day people have chosen to esteem.

By that same logic, all people who keep Sunday should be called Sundarians or something and they also should have the label of Salvation by works because they are keeping a day for worship which the New Testament does not tell us to do.

I just can't understand why the attack on the Saturday Sabbath and why it is viewed in this way, when using the same logic leads us to be able to say the exact same thing about those that keep Sunday. As The Word says, "“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (Matt 7:1-2).

Any answers would be welcome as I am so confused by people who use logic in one way, but fail to see how using that same logic discredits their own standpoint.

Please also note, this is NOT about going to church, day of worship, how to keep Sabbath, 10 commandments, etc, etc...
The question is why is keeping the seventh-day sabbath considered to be Salvation by Works?

 

[Magenta]

Jesus said all the law and all the prophets hang on two commandments.

Keeping the seventh day Sabbath was not one of them.

 

[88]

I am very confused and need some information please.

I read an article this weekend that says keeping the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) holy is the same thing as Salvation by Works. My basic understanding of salvation by works is that we need to do something in order to be saved, as opposed to salvation being the free gift of God - salvation by faith.
Now I don't believe that we can work our way to heaven and fully believe that it is simply the Grace of God that allows anyone to be anything, so I don't subscribe to the salvation by works doctrine. However, my question is why do people equate keeping the seventh-day Sabbath holy (I am NOT talking about going to church, worshiping, etc, etc) to salvation by works?

All the arguments given for NOT keeping Saturday as Sabbath can all be used for not keeping Sunday.
Example:
They say in the New Testament, it is not commanded to keep Sabbath holy. Neither is it commanded to keep Sunday.
They say the apostles met on first day of the week. Well the apostles/disciples met on Saturday, and on Sunday and on other days of the week too. So we can't just choose what verses we want and verses to support both days can be found.

Adding to that, the website then follows up add on verses like Romans 14:5
"One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind."
and Colossians 2:16
"Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath."

And then uses these verses to substantiate why keeping seventh-day sabbath is salvation by works.
These verses specifically say that each one should be fully convinced in his own mind about what day to regard and also that we are not to pass judgement on keeping festivals and sabbaths.

Yet, are they not doing exactly that by judging those that keep the seventh-day Sabbath as a Sabbath and esteem that day as they are fully convinced in their minds? By calling it Salvation by works (the website called it Sabbatarian or something like that), they are doing the exact thing the verse tells us not to do by passing judgement on the day people have chosen to esteem.

By that same logic, all people who keep Sunday should be called Sundarians or something and they also should have the label of Salvation by works because they are keeping a day for worship which the New Testament does not tell us to do.

I just can't understand why the attack on the Saturday Sabbath and why it is viewed in this way, when using the same logic leads us to be able to say the exact same thing about those that keep Sunday. As The Word says, "“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (Matt 7:1-2).

Any answers would be welcome as I am so confused by people who use logic in one way, but fail to see how using that same logic discredits their own standpoint.

Please also note, this is NOT about going to church, day of worship, how to keep Sabbath, 10 commandments, etc, etc...
The question is why is keeping the seventh-day sabbath considered to be Salvation by Works?

***under the Law if you did not keep the Sabbath the penalty was death----we are not under the Law, but Grace so those who follow the Sabbath in this form probably equate it with Spiritual Death----we are under Grace, but I believe keeping the Sabbath is important to our Spiritual Health so we can regenerate in the Spirit and our natural bodies...

 

[chips1024]

Jesus said all the law and all the prophets hang on two commandments.

Keeping the seventh day Sabbath was not one of them.

That adds a bit of confusion for me Magenta. How much is all?? Your statement implies that keeping the seventh day Sabbath was not part of the law or prophets??? But it is in a lot of places throughout the Old Testament... what are you trying to say? I am missing the connection entirely!!

 

[OneFaith]

I am very confused and need some information please.

I read an article this weekend that says keeping the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) holy is the same thing as Salvation by Works. My basic understanding of salvation by works is that we need to do something in order to be saved, as opposed to salvation being the free gift of God - salvation by faith.
Now I don't believe that we can work our way to heaven and fully believe that it is simply the Grace of God that allows anyone to be anything, so I don't subscribe to the salvation by works doctrine. However, my question is why do people equate keeping the seventh-day Sabbath holy (I am NOT talking about going to church, worshiping, etc, etc) to salvation by works?

All the arguments given for NOT keeping Saturday as Sabbath can all be used for not keeping Sunday.
Example:
They say in the New Testament, it is not commanded to keep Sabbath holy. Neither is it commanded to keep Sunday.
They say the apostles met on first day of the week. Well the apostles/disciples met on Saturday, and on Sunday and on other days of the week too. So we can't just choose what verses we want and verses to support both days can be found.

Adding to that, the website then follows up add on verses like Romans 14:5
"One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind."
and Colossians 2:16
"Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath."

And then uses these verses to substantiate why keeping seventh-day sabbath is salvation by works.
These verses specifically say that each one should be fully convinced in his own mind about what day to regard and also that we are not to pass judgement on keeping festivals and sabbaths.

Yet, are they not doing exactly that by judging those that keep the seventh-day Sabbath as a Sabbath and esteem that day as they are fully convinced in their minds? By calling it Salvation by works (the website called it Sabbatarian or something like that), they are doing the exact thing the verse tells us not to do by passing judgement on the day people have chosen to esteem.

By that same logic, all people who keep Sunday should be called Sundarians or something and they also should have the label of Salvation by works because they are keeping a day for worship which the New Testament does not tell us to do.

I just can't understand why the attack on the Saturday Sabbath and why it is viewed in this way, when using the same logic leads us to be able to say the exact same thing about those that keep Sunday. As The Word says, "“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (Matt 7:1-2).

Any answers would be welcome as I am so confused by people who use logic in one way, but fail to see how using that same logic discredits their own standpoint.

Please also note, this is NOT about going to church, day of worship, how to keep Sabbath, 10 commandments, etc, etc...
The question is why is keeping the seventh-day sabbath considered to be Salvation by Works?

I agree with you on one thing- whether you keep the last day of the week, or you keep the first day of the week- they are both works, and we cannot earn our salvation with works. (However God chooses to give the gift of grace to the obedient ones).

But I disagree with you in that we are to physically rest on a physical day under the new covenant. God's law was done physically in the Old Testament, and is done spiritually in the New Testament. Our sabbath rest is now spiritual- it is the peace that passes understanding- both now and in heaven.

Romans 7:1-4 shows that obeying two laws at the same time is like committing religious adultery. Christ has ALL authority over God's people today- that leaves no authority for Moses. The mosaical law, with its physically perfect lamb sacrifice, never washed away even one sin. It was only a shadow of the reality to be found in Christ (spiritual way).

The Bible says if you follow any part of a law that you must follow all of it. So if you follow the law of Moses, you have to pay for certain things with certain animals, stone certain people for certain sins, and have a physical high priest sacrifice physical animals on your behalf- which will be hard since there are no high priests now that we have the spiritually perfect Lamb of God- which you can't be under if you are under Moses.

 

[loveme1]

Many believe that those Keeping Sabbath are not Justified by Faith in the Messiah...
The law of Moses and The 10 Commandments of GOD are seperate...
If we look at Galatians 2 we learn how some were trying to bring circumcision in to our Liberty in Christ.. They were trying to put people under the law of Moses which was not of Faith but works....

If you are circumcising yourself of the flesh for righteousness then you seek not circumcision of your heart through Faith in the Messiah.

Now if you Keep Sabbath you are doing so in love if it is by Faith in the Messiah.

If you are under the law of Moses and keep Sabbath you have not Faith but seek to work to be justified which does not save.



Faith brings work from within... by hearing and doing The Testimony of The Messiah we are Faithful.

 

[Magenta]

That adds a bit of confusion for me Magenta. How much is all?? Your statement implies that keeping the seventh day Sabbath was not part of the law or prophets??? But it is in a lot of places throughout the Old Testament... what are you trying to say? I am missing the connection entirely!!

My statement implied no such thing... but if you read again what Jesus said (see, Jesus said it, not me, I just conveyed the message to you) He said all the law hangs on two commandments, not six hundred and some, not ten, not seven, but two. If you want to try to keep the law you must keep it in the full, for failing in one point equates to failing in all points, and then you are doomed if you have put yourself under the law, for the law never saved anyone. You are of course free to worship God any day you wish, every day is best God desires those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Do you really think the day matters? The seventh day rest of God was a foreshadowing of Jesus being our Sabbath, as we rest from our works to gain salvation, and rely on Him and His love for us and the shedding of His righteous blood. He instituted a new covenant with better promises. Get out from under the yoke of the old covenant. It is a yoke nobody could bear. I am sorry you are confused about that.

 

[Dan58]

The question is why is keeping the seventh-day sabbath considered to be Salvation by Works?

I don't believe it is... Exodus 31:17 says that "It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel". So the sabbath was part of Mosaic Law, where keeping the Sabbath was a “sign” of the covenant between Israel and the Lord. Under the Old Covenant, sacrifices were made at the temple, but just as Christ became our sacrifice, we were also sanctified by him, and no longer by keeping any specific day holy. The Sabbath was a forerunner of Christ, our rest is realized in him, we are sanctified by his works, not our own, or any holy day.. jmo

 

[chips1024]

I agree with you on one thing- whether you keep the last day of the week, or you keep the first day of the week- they are both works, and we cannot earn our salvation with works. (However God chooses to give the gift of grace to the obedient ones).

But I disagree with you in that we are to physically rest on a physical day under the new covenant. God's law was done physically in the Old Testament, and is done spiritually in the New Testament. Our sabbath rest is now spiritual- it is the peace that passes understanding- both now and in heaven.

Romans 7:1-4 shows that obeying two laws at the same time is like committing religious adultery. Christ has ALL authority over God's people today- that leaves no authority for Moses. The mosaical law, with its physically perfect lamb sacrifice, never washed away even one sin. It was only a shadow of the reality to be found in Christ (spiritual way).

The Bible says if you follow any part of a law that you must follow all of it. So if you follow the law of Moses, you have to pay for certain things with certain animals, stone certain people for certain sins, and have a physical high priest sacrifice physical animals on your behalf- which will be hard since there are no high priests now that we have the spiritually perfect Lamb of God- which you can't be under if you are under Moses.

Thanks OneFaith... the how and the what is not part of the discussion, but I do appreciate that you agree with me that using the logic this website provides ends up with both sides being classed under the same umbrella.

Christ did say that ALL authority in heaven and earth are his, so no discussion there. We are told that the law could never save, and that was simply because it was never meant to save. Regarding the Romans 7:1-4 passage, and your short explanation of adultery. If we have 'died' (accepting Christ I assume is the point this happens), then we are free from the law (the law is not married to us anymore) and so can do whatever we want and not be called adulterers right? This then allows us to be 're-married' to Christ right? Just trying to understand the flow of logic here...

And reading further in Romans 7, I find that the writer ends with this statement in verse 25:
"... So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin."
It seems as though there is a Law of God and a law of sin... first time I am looking at this in this way, so any idea regarding what the Law of God and the law of sin is? And that the writer is also confessing that he serves both laws... very confused now... off topic I know... but I guess this is what study leads to...

Thanks for your comment, I need to look further into some things...

 

[chips1024]

Many believe that those Keeping Sabbath are not Justified by Faith in the Messiah...
The law of Moses and The 10 Commandments of GOD are seperate...
If we look at Galatians 2 we learn how some were trying to bring circumcision in to our Liberty in Christ.. They were trying to put people under the law of Moses which was not of Faith but works....

If you are circumcising yourself of the flesh for righteousness then you seek not circumcision of your heart through Faith in the Messiah.

Now if you Keep Sabbath you are doing so in love if it is by Faith in the Messiah.

If you are under the law of Moses and keep Sabbath you have not Faith but seek to work to be justified which does not save.



Faith brings work from within... by hearing and doing The Testimony of The Messiah we are Faithful.

I see said the blind man!! Thanks for that explanation loveme1!!

If Christ is living in us by faith within, we then naturally produce the right actions and naturally follow through with the right things. This means that we are not seeking salvation by works.
If however, we are trying to do good in order to be good (keeping the Sabbath in order to follow rules/laws), then we are then falling into the space of salvation by works and we get lost.

So the people who equate sabbath keeping to salvation by works are simply believing that those that do keep the sabbath are doing it in order to check a list, as opposed to doing it because of an infilling of Christ. Faith produces works of righteousness. So there is simply judgement without knowing if the action is coming from faith within or trying to do good. Again, Christ tells us simply not to judge... and by putting down sabbath keepers, that is exactly what they are doing...

Hmmm... one can never know the heart by judging the actions I guess... thanks so much for the explanation!! It helps a lot!!

 

[Magenta]

Christ tells us simply not to judge... and by putting down sabbath keepers, that is exactly what they are doing...

Jesus said to judge with righteous judgement.

 

[joefizz]

well there is nothing wrong with keeping the sabbath,on whatever day you choose to keep it holy,I try my best to steer clear of playing or watching violence on Sunday in tribute to God not for anything other than just showing God I care for and respect him not for any rewards or the like,but as for the sabbath it is still a commandment so naturally to observe and keep it is good spiritually,just as any other commandment though,magenta,is right ,the sabbath is not one of the commandments Jesus said to keep regarding your faith in Jesus,and it's true that if you choose to abide by the old law given to Moses then you must abide by the whole law,which logically speaking is folly,because none can truly keep the whole old law which is why Jesus died for us,fulfilling the law and taking away our sins,so that we would not die by way of the law,though as I said to observe to keep any commandment is good spiritually,but do this because you want to but not because you feel you must because of others,each person is free to do as they desire,if they desire to keep the old law,then so be it,if someone desires to become under the grace plan then so be it,Just find what is "most important" to you in the bible to follow,though as magenta pointed out if you choose the old law then if you break any statute or commandment then you fail to keep the old law,and the result is death,which is why many prefer the grace plan because through Jesus we are protected from such a fate of dieing by way of the law,this sort of deliberation over what is right and wrong has been going on for thousands of years so it is no surprise that people in today's time are deliberating over such things again,don't worry about it!

 

[adhidw]

I am very confused and need some information please.

I read an article this weekend that says keeping the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) holy is the same thing as Salvation by Works. My basic understanding of salvation by works is that we need to do something in order to be saved, as opposed to salvation being the free gift of God - salvation by faith.
Now I don't believe that we can work our way to heaven and fully believe that it is simply the Grace of God that allows anyone to be anything, so I don't subscribe to the salvation by works doctrine. However, my question is why do people equate keeping the seventh-day Sabbath holy (I am NOT talking about going to church, worshiping, etc, etc) to salvation by works?

All the arguments given for NOT keeping Saturday as Sabbath can all be used for not keeping Sunday.
Example:
They say in the New Testament, it is not commanded to keep Sabbath holy. Neither is it commanded to keep Sunday.
They say the apostles met on first day of the week. Well the apostles/disciples met on Saturday, and on Sunday and on other days of the week too. So we can't just choose what verses we want and verses to support both days can be found.

Adding to that, the website then follows up add on verses like Romans 14:5
"One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind."
and Colossians 2:16
"Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath."

And then uses these verses to substantiate why keeping seventh-day sabbath is salvation by works.
These verses specifically say that each one should be fully convinced in his own mind about what day to regard and also that we are not to pass judgement on keeping festivals and sabbaths.

Yet, are they not doing exactly that by judging those that keep the seventh-day Sabbath as a Sabbath and esteem that day as they are fully convinced in their minds? By calling it Salvation by works (the website called it Sabbatarian or something like that), they are doing the exact thing the verse tells us not to do by passing judgement on the day people have chosen to esteem.

By that same logic, all people who keep Sunday should be called Sundarians or something and they also should have the label of Salvation by works because they are keeping a day for worship which the New Testament does not tell us to do.

I just can't understand why the attack on the Saturday Sabbath and why it is viewed in this way, when using the same logic leads us to be able to say the exact same thing about those that keep Sunday. As The Word says, "“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (Matt 7:1-2).

Any answers would be welcome as I am so confused by people who use logic in one way, but fail to see how using that same logic discredits their own standpoint.

Please also note, this is NOT about going to church, day of worship, how to keep Sabbath, 10 commandments, etc, etc...
The question is why is keeping the seventh-day sabbath considered to be Salvation by Works?

The essence is the spiritual meaning of Sabbath day .
Not literal as go to church in a special day of a week.

Exo31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant

From the verses above ; we pay attention in : be put to death ; for a perpetual covenant
“be put to death” = not saved.
“for a perpetual covenant” = apply to all from the first man living in this perishable earth until the last man.
Work on Sabbath day = as if try to earn their own salvation through their own work = refuse that salvation is only by God’s Grace or every one can achieve his/her salvation depend on his/her own will ( if some one says he/she should keep the special day in a week such Saturday or other , so it seem as he /she refuses to admit that salvation is only by God’s Grace ) .
Then keeping Sabbath day means admitting and agree that Salvation is by God’s Grace alone (so there is nothing to do with literal day of a week ).

 

[chips1024]

My statement implied no such thing... but if you read again what Jesus said (see, Jesus said it, not me, I just conveyed the message to you) He said all the law hangs on two commandments, not six hundred and some, not ten, not seven, but two. If you want to try to keep the law you must keep it in the full, for failing in one point equates to failing in all points, and then you are doomed if you have put yourself under the law, for the law never saved anyone. You are of course free to worship God any day you wish, every day is best God desires those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Do you really think the day matters? The seventh day rest of God was a foreshadowing of Jesus being our Sabbath, as we rest from our works to gain salvation, and rely on Him and His love for us and the shedding of His righteous blood. He instituted a new covenant with better promises. Get out from under the yoke of the old covenant. It is a yoke nobody could bear. I am sorry you are confused about that.

Yoh... OK, so even if there are just 2 commandments, it means that there are still 2 things we need to follow and keep right? So its not that we don't have commandments to follow/keep, but that we just have two. My understanding was that Jesus 'summed up' the entire Old Testament (law and prophets) into these 2 commandments, but that could be wrong.

Yes, we are free to worship God any day of the week, but my question was not about worship or going to church or things like that. It was why do some people regard Sabbath keeping as trying to work your way into heaven.

Please share the verse where Jesus is our Sabbath... first time reading about this thing... and a covenant usually means that both parties have a part to play. What are the two parts of the new covenant? Sorry for the questions, as I said, this is something new to me...

 

[chips1024]

I don't believe it is... Exodus 31:17 says that "It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel". So the sabbath was part of Mosaic Law, where keeping the Sabbath was a “sign” of the covenant between Israel and the Lord. Under the Old Covenant, sacrifices were made at the temple, but just as Christ became our sacrifice, we were also sanctified by him, and no longer by keeping any specific day holy. The Sabbath was a forerunner of Christ, our rest is realized in him, we are sanctified by his works, not our own, or any holy day.. jmo

Thanks Dan58, yes we are not sanctified by any action or keeping or any day, only through Christ.
And yes, it was a sign between the children of Abraham and God and was also a reminder that God took them out of bondage from Egypt (Deut 5), and also to remind them that it is God who makes them holy and set apart (Exodus 31:13 and Ezekiel 20:12).

 

[LoveGodForever]

Please also note, this is NOT about going to church, day of worship, how to keep Sabbath, 10 commandments, etc, etc... The question is why is keeping the seventh-day sabbath considered to be Salvation by Works?

Originally I thought your thread was about something different when I first started reading it but I see you are really asking just this question above so I will add a comment.

I believe people consider not just keeping the 7th Day Sabbath commandment of God's Law "under the old covenant or works of the Law", but every commandment in God's Law salvation by works. This is because they have been taught a counterfeit Gospel.

Firstly let me clarify something. Do I believe I am saved by my works? Absolutely not! Salvation only come to us as we have complete faith and dependence on the Word of God to do what it says it will do. It is completely a gift from God by faith in His Word. Salvation is by faith in Christ alone because there is nothing that we can do as sinners in our own strength to save ourselves. (Matt 9:13; Isa 64:6).

So what is the counterfeit Gospel?

It is a message that tries to separate Gods forever Law (the 10 commandments Ex 20:1-18) from faith in Christ for salvation.

Why is God's Law important to helping someone to have faith in Christ alone?

Because it is only through the Law of God (10 commandments) that any of us have a knowledge of what sin is (1John 3:4; Rom 3:20; 24). If we do away with God's Law we have no knowledge of sin. If we have no knowledge of sin we have no need of a savior. If we have no need of a savior we have no salvation. If we have no salvation we are lost. "For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law." (Rom 2:12).

God's Law shows us that we are sinners in need of a savior. God's Law was given to us that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God (Rom 3:19). It shows us that we are sinners and cannot save ourselves from this disease that we have within us so that we can by Faith lay hold of the promises of God's Words so that Jesus can save us from our sins. Jesus did not come to save the righteous (those that think they do not need saving) but sinners (those that know their need of saving) (Matt 9:12-13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32) God's Law has always been part of the true Gospel of Christ. The counterfeit Gospel does not have it. God's forever Law (the 10 commandments) is the foundation of both the Old and the New Covenant and the very foundation and basis of the true Gospel of Christ. It will be the basis of the judgement where we will all be accountable to God.

The Law of God is the only way of showing us who we truly are, sinners in need of a Savior and in this condition we can see for the first time Him who loved us and washed us in His own blood and by faith only lay hold of the promises of Gods Word. (2Pet 1:4) It is here as we believe God, that he changes us from living a life of breaking God's Law to a life of walking with him. It is through the operation of God through Love because he first loved us that we follow Jesus not for salvation but because of love. Love is the fulfilling of God's Law in us who walk not after the flesh (carnal sinful mind) but after the spirit and why Jesus says to his followers, "If you love me keep the commandments" (John 14:15).

People cannot see that this is the operation of God in the believer and assume God's people believe they are saved by their works, when in fact Jesus is saving us from our sins to walk in newness of life in fulfillment of His new Covenant promise (Heb 8:10-12)...... Gods Sheep hear His Voice salvation is from sin and sin is the transgression of God's Law (1John 3:4) whosoever is living in sin has neither seen him nor known him (1John 3:6)

God bless you all.

 

[trofimus]

I would say:

Because to keep Sabbath is the OT attitude, so it implies that when you keep it and talk about it frequently (or even you are teaching it or forcing others to do it) you are probably not getting the reality in Christ.

Which implies you are too "Jewish" in your theology which implies you are probably in salvation by works.

 

[graceNpeace]

Our Sabbath-keeping legalistic friends have everything back to front as usual!

This is what Paul says:

23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come,we are no longer under a tutor. Gal 3:23-25
The law was there to bring us to faith.
Now that we are saved - we are no longer under the law and its statutes are no longer binding.

The legalists insist on trying to split the law into two sections:
The law of God - the ten commandments; and
The law of Moses - the rest of the law.

There is NO biblical foundation for this but the legalists need to pretend on this because they need to keep the ten commandments and particularly the Sabbath.
The law is indivisible: the ten commandments CANNOT be separated from the rest of the law no matter what they say!
And Paul tells us that justification is found apart the law (all of it!) see Rom 3:21-31

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all[h] who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Rom 3:21-26

In SDA doctrine at least Sabbath-keeping is the essential sign that one is indeed a Christian.
Those that do not keep the Sabbath in SDA doctrine are hell-bound - so essentially it is a works-based equation.
SDA doctrine also explicitly denies assurance of salvation - one reason given is encourage their members to continue striving and Sabbath-keeping is the main thing that needs to be maintained in their doctrine.

Non-SDA Sabbath-keeping groups have different doctrines but most will insist that Sabbath-keeping is essential for ultimate salvation. Despite their insistence salvation by grace through faith is not what they actually believe since Sabbath-keeping is compulsory and so "grace + works" = "works"!

A Christian does not need the law for a "knowledge of sin" and most especially should not place oneself back under the law.
A knowledge of sin is what brings someone to faith in Jesus Christ it is not needed for that purpose afterwards - that is the express point of Gal 3:23-25.

 

[Grace777x70]

Many believe that those Keeping Sabbath are not Justified by Faith in the Messiah...
The law of Moses and The 10 Commandments of GOD are seperate...
If we look at Galatians 2 we learn how some were trying to bring circumcision in to our Liberty in Christ.. They were trying to put people under the law of Moses which was not of Faith but works....

If you are circumcising yourself of the flesh for righteousness then you seek not circumcision of your heart through Faith in the Messiah.

Now if you Keep Sabbath you are doing so in love if it is by Faith in the Messiah.

If you are under the law of Moses and keep Sabbath you have not Faith but seek to work to be justified which does not save.



Faith brings work from within... by hearing and doing The Testimony of The Messiah we are Faithful.

There is no such thing as the law and the 10 commandments being separate. That is a man-made thing as Paul shows that the 10 commandments are part of the law.

Coveting is one of the 10 - unless it got kicked out for getting caught "coveting".

Romans 7:7 (NASB)
[SUP]7 [/SUP] What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET."

The Christian has died to the law, been released from the law and not under the law anymore. It can't get any plainer than that.

 

[Bogadile]

Quite simple.
The reason people equate it with works salvation is because the Sabbatarians tend to say that if you do not keep the Sabbath that you are sinning against God and some go as far as to say it is or will be the Mark of the beast.

With all this can you really be surprised that people are up in arms saying it is works salvation?