The Sabbath, A Sign Of Sanctification. 02/15/2014 (Morning thought)

12 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,  13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.  16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.  17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

This passage of scripture points to the Sabbath as a sign of sanctification, evidence that the necessary work of renewing and cleansing us from all unrighteousness, is taking place holistically. That's why Jesus prayed for the sanctification of all of His followers, just prior to giving His life for us on Calvary. Let's read:

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

And what is the "truth" that Christ is here referring to? The Bible gives us the unerring answer:

Psalms 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

The concept of keeping the commandments, with the exception of the fourth, which shows who the Creator is, results in a state of guilt, for the Author of the law forbidding stealing, is the very same Person who says "Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy". Thus we read:

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

There are many sincere Christians who are not aware, and who really do not know that the sabbath (Saturday) is still valid, and that it has in no way been abrogated by the death of Christ. Jesus did not die so that we could continue to break His law, for if that were the case, then His sacrifice would have been in vain. This was clearly stated in the inaugural announcement of His incarnation and subsequent mission. Let's read:

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.  (Not "in" their sins).

Jesus Himself also recapitulated the same truth on a number of occasions. Let's read:

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.  18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.  (And on and on).

The  proper observance of the sabbath (Saturday), therefore signals that we recognize the creative power of God, both in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and also in the redemption of fallen man, by His re-creative power working in and through us. If therefore the sabbath is willfully disregarded, the re-creative power of God is denied entrance into our hearts and minds, and therefore true sanctification cannot take place.

The law of God forms an integral part of the plan of salvation, because it not only teaches us the eternal principles of righteousness, upon which God's government is founded, but it also identifies sin in all of its varied forms. Without a knowledge of what constitutes sin, we would not know why we need a Savior, and if we do not know why we need a Savior, then Jesus Christ died in vain, and if Christ died in vain, then the gospel and the Bible wouldn't have any meaning for fallen man. That's why if the sabbath (Saturday) of the fourth commandment is eliminated, then the whole plan of salvation crumbles into irrelevant nothingness, and consequently, any hope we have of eternal life comes immediately to a screeching halt. So let's observe what the Bible has to say about the effect the law of God has on a person who has entered into a covenant relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ. Let's read:

Psalms 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Friends, the sabbath is still valid, and even though millions of genuine Christians are keeping the first day of the week instead of the seventh, yet The Lord is calling us back to a proper observance of His holy day. If we understand and accept this important sabbath truth, then the mega promises that God has given pertaining to it would be realized in our lives, both now and for eternity. Let's read:

Isaiah 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

We hope and pray that this promise and experience may be ours today and forever, for The Lord is faithful to all of His promises. God bless!