It was never against God's instructions to take a walk on the Sabbath day in fellowship with Him and pick a black berry or ear of corn to munch on. The Mainstream Preachers of Christ's time had corrupted God's Law to the point that they actually believed the God of Abraham considered walking and eating an apple or ear of corn on the Sabbath a sin. It was not a sin, yet "many", in Mainstream Christianity today, have adopted the Pharisees version of God's instruction regarding the Sabbath and have created their own religious doctrine based on this false perception.
For me it isn't about this day or that. It's about what the Bible says. "Many" who come in Christ's name, imply in their preaching that God's instructions spoken of in Colossians are a "Vain deceit", "Tradition of man," and "Rudiments of the World". They are free to believe this, and preach if that is their wish, but I do not believe this teaching. I think Paul was warning against religious traditions of man VS. the righteous instructions from the Christ, the Word which became Flesh.
I posted because this is a Bible discussion site and I don't believe the Bible supports the implication that God's "HOLY" Days or God's Sabbaths are a "Vain Deceit" or traditions of man. I think many believe this because of another perception commonly held and taught in Mainstream Christianity and that is the preaching that the Pharisees were trying to "Earn" Salvation by following God's Commandments. This foundational doctrine is an insidious lie that infects and corrupts the Gospel. Jesus didn't hold to this religious doctrine and neither do I.
Matt. 23:
4 For they (Pharisees, Not God) bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay
them on men's shoulders; but they
themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Matt. 15:
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with
their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Neither Jesus, nor His Disciples did what was forbidden on the Sabbath that Jesus, as the Word, created for man. The Pharisees Sabbath, maybe, but not God's. The Mainstream Preachers of His time believed and taught falsehoods about the Sabbath. Understanding this Biblical truth would change the way you look at many scriptures.
According to the Jesus of the Bible, God created His Laws for sinners, that would be me. The 4th Commandment is one of these Laws that He created along with don't create images of God in the likeness of man,(even a long haired handsome one) don't kill, don't lie. Love your neighbor, etc. We all know His Commandments from the least to the greatest. Now religious man has chosen to judge some of God's instructions as unworthy of their respect. This is not a new thing.
The Serpent convinced Eve to do the same thing. And the Mainstream Preachers of Christ's time judged God's Word as well.
Matt. 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin,
and have omitted the weightier
matters of the law,
judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
I don't believe we have the right to "omit" or "judge" one of God's Words over another. I understand this view of God's Word isn't in line with "many" religious doctrines and traditions of today, and that even speaking like this causes anger. But I also believe the truth of God's Word is more important than feeding the pride of man. I think the Bible should be used to create doctrine, not used as a tool to support man made doctrines and traditions.
I don't believe I am saved once I "keep His Sabbath". But I do believe in Jesus, both as a man, and as the Word which became Flesh. So if He walked in His Fathers Sabbaths, and if He says His Sabbath is Holy, and if He said He created His Sabbath for humans who have sinned, then who am I to argue with Him? In fact, why would I even want to?
Maybe religious man has finally found another way. And then again, maybe Jesus was justified in His Warning.
Matt. 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them,
I never knew you: depart from me,
ye that work iniquity.