Is Keeping The Sabbath Holy? Observing It Correctly on The 7th Day (Friday Sundown to Saturday Sundown)
Keeping The Sabbath Holy is Not A Day of Bondage...It is To Be A Day of
YAHUVEH'S and YAHUSHUA'S Blessings!
Do you want to walk in Deu. 28? The blessings therein are reserved for those who
OBEY YAHUVEH! Or do you want to walk in the curses reserved for those who
DISOBEY YAHUVEH?
The arguments against keeping the Sabbath Holy and observing it on the 7th Day
(Saturday) as commanded in YAHUVEH'S Word are: “We do not need the law anymore
because we are under grace” or “People who keep the Law are Legalists.”
But this is not about legalism, or even grace. It is all about OBEDIENCE! There
has always been a wide gap between Legalism vs. obedience.
What exactly is Biblical legalism? It is the taking of the Law and using it in a
way which would merit salvation. Those following the Law of YAHUVEH—keeping the
Feasts and obeying the 10 Commandments—in a way which does not see it as adding
to what YAHUSHUA accomplished on the Cross are not legalists. We need to
remember than YAHUSHUA'S sacrifice alone justifies the ungodly. Scripture makes
this fact undisputable.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works
of the law, but by the faith of YAHUSHUA Ha Mashiach (Jesus
Christ), even we have believed in YAHUSHUA Ha Mashiach, that we
might be justified by the faith of YAHUSHUA, and not by the
works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be
justified.
Galatians 3:11-13 But that no man is justified by the law in
the sight of YAHUVEH, it is evident: for, The just shall live by
faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them
shall live in them. YAHUSHUA hath redeemed us from the curse of
the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is
every one that hangeth on a tree.
The Law cannot be used for salvation. But, throwing away the Law will also send
you to Hell as well.
Revelation 22:14 states, "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." The book of Revelation makes it clear that those who shall enter the New
Jerusalem and spend eternity with YAHUVEH are those who "do His commandments."
Rev. 22:18-19 also helps to show that YAHUVEH does not want anyone to subtract
from His Word in any way, "If any man shall add unto these things, YAHUVEH shall
add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall
take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, YAHUVEH shall take away
his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things
which are written in this book."
YAHUSHUA has come and completed the Law. In Matthew 5:17, He says that He has
come to "fulfill the Law". He kept the Law so we could keep it as well.
YAHUSHUA gave an example on what He did on Sabbaths.
The Legalistic notion here is dispelled. For we do not keep the Law to be saved.
But rather, in keeping the Law we show ourselves to already have gained
salvation through the cross of YAHUSHUA. In light of the cross of YAHUSHUA and
the liberation from the of sin we receive from it, we are now free to keep the
Law (Galatians 4:31).
YAHUSHUA requires obedience.
What about grace? Does this give us an excuse, saying in affect that a person
can be saved and never have to worry about living a life of obedience because we
are under the grace of YAHUSHUA? No. Paul quickly dispels this notion in Romans
6:15 when he says, "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the Law,
but under grace? YAHUVEH forbid. We are not given liberty to sin, but we are
given liberty not to sin. And how shall we not sin unless we know what sin is?
And how shall we know what sin is unless we follow the Law? "Is the Law sin,
YAHUVEH forbid." (Romans 7:7)
YAHUVEH has given us His commandments that we may become obedient to His
commands. Those who love Him will keep Sabbath holy because they do love him and
want to be obedient. We keep the Law to be obedient to YAHUSHUA and show Him how
much we love Him for rescuing us from the damning influences of trying to keep
the Law to gain eternal life. Obedience is a far cry from Legalism.
When we enjoy following all YAHUVEH'S commands He is pleased. Shall we not be
obedient when YAHUVEH, in numerous passages, commands obedience from us as
stewards of His Word?
Romans 6:16
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his
servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto
righteousness?
YAHUVEH does not want false prophets coming into the church telling her that she
does not need to keep the Law. That is nothing but blasphemy and heresy against
the Word of YAHUVEH. We must endeavor to keep the Law in a holy manner through
YAHUSHUA.
We need the Law to show us our sin. We need the Law to direct us into
righteousness. We need the commands of YAHUSHUA which are laid all through the
Scriptures to further our sanctification and holiness, without which no one will
see the Him (Hebrews 12:14). Salvation does not depend on keeping the Law, but
rather, our salvation is seen in us when we do keep the Law.
May we become people of the Word, the whole Word and nothing but the Word. May
we throw away the heresy of Legalism, and embrace obedience to Christ. For
unless we obey Christ, we have no part in Him. For He says, "But why do you call
Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46, from the
Sermon on the plain)."
* * * * * * *
Remember, that by breaking just ONE of the 10 Commandments, you break ALL OF
THEM! Don't keep just 9 of them, ignoring the 4th. Keep the 4th as well, not
because it will add anything to your salvation (It doesn't)…but because you love
YAHUVEH and YAHUSHUA and want to please them with your obedience to what these
commandments—all of them—require of you. It isn't impossible. But if you are a
Sunday worshipper, you must come to terms with this issue. If you ignore it and
continue following the majority of the church into churches each Sunday, then
you are walking in disobedience and will have to explain why someday soon when
you stand before YAHUSHUA to give an account of yourself.
HOW TO KEEP THE SABBATH
I have received many emails asking me how exactly does one keep the Sabbath.
Remember that the Jewish day begins at sundown and ends at sundown. So the
Sabbath actually begins on Friday sundown and ends on Saturday sundown. This is
when you observe it.
Sabbath is a holy day, a day when we honor YAHUVEH. We should not only spend
time on this day in prayer and in His Word, but also seeking His will for us. We
should ask Him what He wants us to do on this day. It should also include
communion, the blowing of the Shofar (if you have one), lighting Sabbath candles
and reading from the Torah.
And what about work? The Sabbath is supposed to be a day of rest and this is
what you should do. If at all possible, have the Sabbath meals prepared in
advance so they can be heated in a microwave or oven. Don't do any hunting or
fishing on this day, for the animals deserve their rest also.
Spend this special day in Him. Do things that offer you rest, relaxation and
fun. If you have a job that requires you to work on the Sabbath and your
employer refuses to allow you to take the Sabbath off, then pray to YAHUVEH that
He will lead you to a new job which will allow you to rest on Sabbath. Don't be
legalistic about what you can and cannot do. For example, turning light switches
on/off or any of the many small tasks required while moving about your house is
not considered work. If you aren't sure about something, ask Father YAHUVEH and
He will either tell you it's okay or that you should not do it. Be obedient to
what He asks so the Sabbath will truly be a blessing for you.
Play games with your family. Spend time visiting with friends. Anything
considered work should be left for the next day.
Apostle Elisabeth (Elisheva) Elijah
August 16, 2005