The rest (anapauō) we have in Jesus is a rest from trying to be made acceptable to God through living righteously. The rest (sabbatismos) found in the seventh day is a ceasing from the routine work we do the other six days of the week. It's done to keep the seventh day separate from the other six as a reminder and testimony of creation and its Creator.
The rest we have in Jesus is a spiritual rest that is personal. I can't pass the rest we have in Jesus off to someone else. In other words, I can make someone rest in Jesus because of this, Jesus cannot replace the seventh day Sabbath. Let me explain. The fourth commandment tells me to take the day off from work. It also tells me to not allow my sons or daughters to work either. It also tells me to give my servants the day off as well and if there are any strangers living in my neighborhood I am to not let them do any work either such as maybe cutting my grass or painting my house. You see, I can make someone take the day off but I can't make them rest in Jesus. Even my working animals I am to give the day off and they don't need to rest in Jesus.
Now, the rest we have in Jesus does carry over to keeping the seventh day holy because if I violate the Sabbath that's a sin deserving the death penalty. But I am in Christ and no longer under the Law. So why is that Good News? Because the death penalty for sin came through the Law. Does that mean the seventh day is no longer holy, blessed and sanctified? No way! It was created that way as part of creation even before sin and long before the Law. And God said it was very good. The Law didn't make the day holy and blessed, it protected it.
So how does all this translate to me keeping the Sabbath holy? Well, first of all we are not keeping it with a meritorious mindset. In other words, we are not trying to earn something by keeping it holy nor are we trying archive righteousness so that lifts a huge burden from our shoulders.
The Sabbath is still a blessed and special day to God and His people but it is not to be elevated above people or their needs.
The seventh day testifies of creation and its Creator. It separates you as God's people like a wedding ring does for the couple. We have freedom on the Sabbath through Christ, not freedom from the Sabbath. The seventh day will always be with us so use it for what God intended it for. The put down your tools of trade and come from far and near to gather as a people of God in fellowship and praise giving thanks giving for all.
The rest we have in Jesus is a spiritual rest that is personal. I can't pass the rest we have in Jesus off to someone else. In other words, I can make someone rest in Jesus because of this, Jesus cannot replace the seventh day Sabbath. Let me explain. The fourth commandment tells me to take the day off from work. It also tells me to not allow my sons or daughters to work either. It also tells me to give my servants the day off as well and if there are any strangers living in my neighborhood I am to not let them do any work either such as maybe cutting my grass or painting my house. You see, I can make someone take the day off but I can't make them rest in Jesus. Even my working animals I am to give the day off and they don't need to rest in Jesus.
Now, the rest we have in Jesus does carry over to keeping the seventh day holy because if I violate the Sabbath that's a sin deserving the death penalty. But I am in Christ and no longer under the Law. So why is that Good News? Because the death penalty for sin came through the Law. Does that mean the seventh day is no longer holy, blessed and sanctified? No way! It was created that way as part of creation even before sin and long before the Law. And God said it was very good. The Law didn't make the day holy and blessed, it protected it.
So how does all this translate to me keeping the Sabbath holy? Well, first of all we are not keeping it with a meritorious mindset. In other words, we are not trying to earn something by keeping it holy nor are we trying archive righteousness so that lifts a huge burden from our shoulders.
The Sabbath is still a blessed and special day to God and His people but it is not to be elevated above people or their needs.
The seventh day testifies of creation and its Creator. It separates you as God's people like a wedding ring does for the couple. We have freedom on the Sabbath through Christ, not freedom from the Sabbath. The seventh day will always be with us so use it for what God intended it for. The put down your tools of trade and come from far and near to gather as a people of God in fellowship and praise giving thanks giving for all.
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