I like that very much Helen.

Vicki

----- Original Message -----
From: "Helen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 14, 2004 6:24 PM
Subject: The Sabbath


> Hello Everyone,
>
> I was witnessing a discussion on a mailing list recently, about which day
> should be observed as the Lord's sabbath.  Is it Saturday or is it
> Sunday.?  I'll share with you a portion of a post, and then copy and paste
> my reply to it.
> For your edification in the Lord.
> Helen
>
> [Tom writes]
> Resting in the arms of the Lord is easy, yet the most difficult thing to
> do. Many cannot grasp the "simplicity" of Christ, so we go around
> establishing our "own" righteousness which has to do with OUR "personal"
> performance. So I see the observance of any Law in terms
> of obligation to "specifically" obey in order to achieve or maintain
> "right" standing with God as the incorrect way to approach God.
>
> [Helen replies]
> It is my understanding that the word "sabbath" means "rest".  To those of
> us who believe in Jesus Christ and His finished work at Calvary, that
> sabbath rest is the Lord Himself!!  If we are entered into Him by faith,
> then we are entered into that Sabbath.
>
> Heb. 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I
> have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the
> works were finished from the foundation of the world.
>
> Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
>
> Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from
> his own works, as God did from his.
>
> It is also my understanding that the observance of a sabbath day was
> instituted under the Hebraic Law, given to the Jews to observe as
obedience
> to God.
>
> We who are Gentile believers in Christ were *never* under that Law!
>
> Ga 3:23  But before faith came, we (Jews) were kept under the law, shut up
> unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
> Ga 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son,
> made of a woman, made under the law,
> Ga 4:5  To redeem them (Jews) that were under the law, that we (gentiles)
> might receive the adoption of sons.
> Ga 4:21  Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the
law?
> Ga 5:18  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
>
> So we who by faith have entered into that Sabbath rest who is Christ Jesus
> (the One who fulfilled all the Law:  Mt 5:17  Think not that I am come to
> destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to
> fulfil.)  we have ceased from our works to become righteous or to be
> pleasing to God, for Christ is our righteousness. Ro 10:4  For Christ is
> the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
>        1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made
unto
> us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
>
> So if a believer in Christ Jesus understands that "keeping the Sabbath" is
> on the first day of the week and it is observed as "unto the Lord", and
> another believer understands that "keeping the Sabbath" is on the seventh
> day of the week and it is observed as "unto the Lord",  and believe that
> their observance is a symbol of the Sabbath rest which is Christ Jesus
> Himself, then may there be Peace amongst them as they continue in their
> search for Truth, is my prayer.