The True Sabbath

The True Sabbath

By Arthur J Licursi

Under the grace gospel given to and proclaimed by the Apostle Paul for us today, there are no special holy days, seasons, and limits upon what we eat, etc., to be observed. Paul says all things are lawful, but not all are expedient (1Cor 6:12)

Col. 2:16-17 do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. ^{17These are a shadow of the things that were to come;
the reality, however, is found in Christ (NIV)}

^{Since Paul says these outer items of worship or service that are found
under the law dispensation are now but a type or metaphor, as a
shadow of a greater reality to come, let us proceed to the weightier,
heart of the matter, which they symbolize.

Do you keep the Sabbath?

I am not speaking of the literal seventh day rest, but the inner rest of
which that Sabbath was a type or metaphor.
The Sabbath pause in outward business was but a metaphor of the inner hush,
which is not for one day, but for all days, not for one race of people, but
for all men, not for the hereafter, but for the now. The true Sabbath-keeping
of inward rest in our soul, is undiminished by the storms of this life; every
faithful believer carries this Sabbath within them.

No Burden-Bearing Allowed

Jeremiah 17:21-22 This is what the Lord says: Be careful
not to carry a load on the Sabbath day or bring it through the gates of
Jerusalem. 22Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on
the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your
forefathers.

Nehemiah was so intent upon keeping this matter of “no burden bearing”
that he set servants at the city gates Neh. 13:19
And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before
the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they
should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at
the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

What was true of that day is true in today’s “dispensation of the
grace of God”, but in a deeper, inward way. There can be no true
Sabbath keeping when burdens are received and brought into our soul, where
they trouble us. Our cares break the rest and peace that God intended
for our soul. There is then no hope that we shall know the peace and rest that
passes all understanding, not until we are able to shut the door against the
long train of burden-bearing thoughts and concerns. When we notice that the
heavy laden people have a care-worn look, of weary eyes and head hung low, we
are seeing the results of burden-bearing. Each thought and care is as tiny
snowflakes, which can build into a deep drift that can block out the light of
God’s love and grace from our soul.

Unburdening Ourselves

Philip. 4:6-7 Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every
thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We all face some or all of these concerns; employers with unreasonable
demands, co-workers that are nor dependable, unkind gossip, and slander that
may be circulating about us, the perplexities and adversities of business, the
difficulty of making two ends meet, the question of moving our household or
situation, or of obtaining another, children with ailments of childhood and
the waywardness of youths, provision for sickness and old age; these are but
some of the situations and circumstances that our loving Father permits to
come into our lives.
I personally can say that there are some whose businesses are particularly
trying and liable to cause us anxious thoughts and stress to the point of a
stress-induced heart attack. Notice in the above word from Paul in Philippians
4:6-7; he does not say pray and God will take your problem away or even
give you the remedy. What he is saying is, don’t be anxious, give it to the
Lord and you’ll have the peace of God. Thus, the brass ring
the Christian may take hold of is rest and peace in his soul. We take hold of
this by belief – trusting in and clinging to and relying upon Christ
as our all.

Hebrews 4:9-10 There remaineth therefore a rest
to the people of God. [10] For he that is entered into his rest,
he also hath ceased from his own works (self-works), as God did
from his. (On the seventh day)

As we trust God we will enjoy the rest and peace of Christ – This
is the true Sabbath or seventh day rest. From my experience, you know you
have given it to the Lord when the peace of God is restored to you. This
requires that you let go of your circumstance, knowing and believing that all
is working for our eternal good (Rom 8:28-29).
If our goals are eternal, out of this world, then what happens in this
temporal world has bearing upon us – so long as we maintain our focus. We
may be drawn away for a short time by the cares of this life, but we must
return to trusting our Father in all the things that He permits to come
our way and touch our lives.

Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest,
lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Belief is our one work that is ordained of God for us.

John 6:29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to
believe in (trust in, cling to, and rely upon) the one he has
sent."

<END>}