The New Testament "LORD's Gospel" of obedience VS ...
man's religion of disobedience, = Lawlessness ~> 2 Thessalonians 2:3–12
The question of keeping the commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath, as New Testament believers under grace is a nuanced issue that can be understood by examining the teachings of the Bible.
1. The Commandments and Grace
In the New Testament, there is a clear emphasis on grace over law. In
Romans 6:14, Paul writes,
"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace." This reflects the transition from the Old Covenant, which was governed by the law, to the New Covenant, which is under grace through Jesus Christ. However,
this does not mean the law is abolished; rather, it is fulfilled in Christ.
In
Matthew 5:17, Jesus Himself said,
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." Jesus fulfilled the law by living a sinless life and by becoming the perfect sacrifice for sin. In this sense, believers are not bound by the law as a means to salvation, but the law still serves as a moral guide.
2. Grace and the Commandments
Grace does not nullify the law. Instead, grace enables believers to keep the commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath.
“Christ’s law is a law of liberty, and those who keep the commandments of God in faith will find peace and joy in the Sabbath rest” (Desire of Ages, p. 283). Here, White emphasizes that through grace, Christians are empowered to obey God's commandments, not because they must in order to earn salvation, but because they are saved by grace and desire to live in accordance with God’s will.
3. The Seventh-Day Sabbath
While the Old Testament law required the observance of the Sabbath, Jesus' example shows that the Sabbath was made for man's benefit, not to be a burden. In
Mark 2:27, Jesus said,
“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." This implies that the Sabbath is a gift and a blessing, meant to provide spiritual and physical rest.
“The Sabbath is the sign of God’s creative power, and in it we commemorate His finished work” (Great Controversy, p. 438). She also emphasizes that the Sabbath was observed by Jesus during His earthly ministry, showing that New Testament believers should continue to honor the Sabbath, not out of obligation, but in response to God's grace and LOVE.
4. "Where There is No Law, There is No Transgression" (Romans 4:15)
5. Following Jesus' Example
The life of Jesus serves as
the ultimate example of obedience. Jesus kept the commandments, including the Sabbath, and as His followers, New Testament believers are called to follow His example (1 John 2:6). Jesus' obedience was not about fulfilling the law for salvation, but about fulfilling the will of His Father.
1 John 2:6 "He that says he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." & Gal 2:20
In summary, as New Testament believers, we are
indeed under grace, and the law serves as a guide to live according to God's will. The commandments, including the
Seventh-Day Sabbath,
are not abolished but are fulfilled in Christ. We
keep the commandments out of love for God and in response to the grace we have received. Jesus, through His life and teachings, set the
perfect example for how to observe the commandments, and as His followers, we are called to do the same.
Grace enables us to live in obedience to God’s Will rather than legalistic efforts to earn salvation, through disobedience.
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