Chronic Inertia

Light at the end of the tunnel . . .

 

Pessimist [pe-sə-ˈmis-t]:  a person who habitually sees or anticipates the worst.

 

A pessimist is one who adheres to the state of mind in which one expects undesirable outcomes or believes that the evil or hardships in life outweigh the good.  Here are some statements a pessimist might say:

 

• When you see a light at the end of the tunnel, it's usually the headlight of an oncoming train.
• Forest say's that life's like a box a chocolates, but it's actually more like a package from the Unabomber . . . you never know what you're gonna' get.
• Is the cup half-empty or half-full?  It's doesn't matter, either way whatever's inside is evaporating.
• If you wash your car . . . it will rain (or a bird will poop on it).
• The trouble with the "rat race" is that even if you win, you're still a rat.

 

The reason why we find these statements, and many like them, humorous is because of the bit of truth we find in each one.

 

I have one more to share with you.  A pessimist once described the Christian experience as "an initial spasm followed by a chronic inertia."

 

Now, if you're like me . . . you're wondering what that means.  When I first came across this statement I looked up some terms to better understand.  "Initial" means:  of or pertaining to the beginning.  "Spasm" means:  a sudden, brief spell of energy, feeling, or excitement.  "Chronic" means:  constant, habitual, long in duration.  "Inertia" means:  a condition of inactivity, sluggishness, laziness, or stagnation.

 

Apply all diligence

What this pessimist is saying is that the Christian experience begins with a sudden expression of excitement and feeling and is followed by a long duration of inactivity and stagnation.  And, like those previous statements, there's just enough truth in there, not to be humorous, but to convict . . . to make me step back and take a look at my Christian experience to examine whether or not this describes my life.

 

As people see your walk with the Lord . . . and my walk with the Lord . . . would they call it an initial spasm followed by a chronic inertia?

 

Unfortunately, there are a lot of half-hearted Christians in the Kingdom living a life of chronic inertia.  O sure, they got to Sunday morning worship and maybe in Sunday School . . . and, if their "really" committed, they'll even show up on Wednesday night Bible Study. But really that's the extent of their Christian experience . . . never really accomplishing anything of Kingdom significance, but content which where they are.  Many have accepted the grace of God with fervency only to stagnate into complacency and mediocrity.

 

Where are you in your relationship with God?

 

Are you content/satisfied in the area of your Christian growth?

 

If you are, that means you're not growing; that you've entered a state of chronic inertia.

 

GROW UP TO MATURITY



The call from Scripture to continually grow with respect to walking with the Lord; to mature in our faith . . . no longer being a babe, but growing up to maturity.  The Book of Ephesians tells us we are to "attain . . . to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.  We are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by every wind of doctrine . . . we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." [Ephesians 4:13-15]

 

Elsewhere, Peter admonishes his readers (and us) to continue to grow in their faith by continuing to add to their faith particular virtues.  Obviously this is not an exhaustive listing of Christian character, but is instruction for us as we strive to mature into the godly man or woman that our faith demands.

 

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence,

in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence,

Knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control;

and in your self-control, perseverance; and in your perseverance,

godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness;

and in your brotherly kindness, love." [II Peter 1:5-7]

 

Because of our new birth to a living hope [I Peter 1:3] (BTW:  things that are living . . . grow) and the precious and magnificent promises [II Peter 1:3-4] that come with it, we are not to sit back and rest content with "faith" alone.  For we know that "faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself." [James 2:17]

 

God's grace demands AND enables, effort on our part to grow and mature in our faith!  Remember Ephesians 4 . . . we are to attain "to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."

 

To this end we are to apply "all diligence."  It's like saying, "with all that you've got" or "with every ounce of determination you can muster" . . . not in our own strength, but empowered by God!

 

It is the fruit, or the result, of walking by the Spirit in meaningful relationship with God through Christ Jesus.

 

So add to your FAITH . . .

 

           - Moral Excellence (Virtue)

 

                     - Knowledge

 

                               - Self-Control

 

                                         - Perseverance

 

                                                   - Godliness

 

                                                             - Brotherly Kindness

 

                                                                       - Love

 

"For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sings." [II Peter 1:8-9]

 

 

Worship Minister, Gateway Christian Church, www.gcch3.com

Health & Fitness - Scripture Motivation

Something knew in my life is a desire to live a more healthful lifestyle . . . to eat right, train hard, and be strong physically as well as emotionally and spiritually.  I've thought a lot about what drives this desire.  Is it vanity?  mid-life crisis?  right/wrong?

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So, I've been thinking about motivation in life . . . what moves me to do what I do and to be who I am.

Motivation is key to just about every area of life.  Often the "what you do" is not nearly as important as the "why you do."  Of course what you do is important, but why you do what you do is key.  You can do something wonderful, yet with the wrong motivation (selfish or otherwise).  If so, the importance or meaning/value of what you did is diminished greatly.  Without the right motivation, you can end up doing the "right" thing for all the wrong reasons.

What's the source of your motivation?  internal?  external? . . . yes, both please.  Motivation comes in many ways . . . thoughts, words (spoken & written), experiences, music, visual.

As a man who strives to follow God, one of the greatest sources of strength and encouragement for me is found through the scriptures.  God's Word is THE key motivating factor for living.  It provides the "why" for my "what" in every area of life . . . or at least it should.  We have been "granted everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us."  [see II Peter 1:3]

If this is true, then when it comes to health and fitness . . . is there scriptural motivation for this lifestyle change?

Here are some thoughts:

The concept of physical and athletic training has its metaphorical place in Scripture. Whether through Paul's comparison of the discipleship journey to a race or the understanding that intense training and discipline produces strength and endurance.

While the scriptures I'm about to share will be removed from their original context, I do believe that they are a great source of motivation and encouragement from God's word.

 

At least they are to me and I hope they are to you . . .

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1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." [see my blog post on Temple Building for more thoughts on this]

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Psalm 73:26

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

1 Timothy 4:8
"Bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

1 Corinthians 9:24-25
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win.  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.  They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."

Colossians 3:23-24

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve"

Hebrews 12:11-12

"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards its yields the peaceful fruit of Righteousness.  Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble."

Isaiah 40:29-31

"He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.  Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."

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The Key to it all is balance.  Health and fitness, like just about any worldly pursuit, can be taken to the extreme and even become addictive or idolatrous.  Thus, it is always best to check your motivation.  Let all things be done for the glory of God.  "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory . . ."  [Psalm 115:1].

 

 

Seth Lawson, Worship Minister, Gateway Christian Church, www.gcch3.com

Father's Day Thoughts - Part 3 of 3: Be a Man of God

 

Being a man in your family and in your world really all revolves around the topic of this last post:  Be a man of God . . . everything else will flow freely from here.

 

In fact, as David challenged his son with this call:  "be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man", this idea of being a man of God -- a man who lives by the standard that God has set forth -- is the core of his challenge.

 

Here's the full text [I Kings 2:1-3]:

 

"As David’s time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying, “I am going the way of all the earth.  Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man.  Keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn."

 

BE A MAN OF GOD

 

In his charge to his son [vs.3], David defines for us what true godly manhood is all about.  It all flows from being a man of God.

 

Be a man of commitment:  "keep the charge of the Lord your God"

 

True commitment is something that you see very little of in our culture - especially among men (unfortunately).  We tend to look for loop-holes in every area of life.  We struggle with follow through . . . and not just in our golf game.  The challenge is to "keep [remain committed to] the charge of the Lord."

• Commit to being a man as you lead your family in the ways of God.
• Commit to being a man as you live in this world with integrity, purity.
• Commit to being a man as you give yourself over to the Lordship of Christ.

 

Be a man of faithfulness:  "walk in His ways"

 

In Colossians 1:10 the apostle Paul instructs us to ". . . walk [live] in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

 

To "walk in His ways" means that we are to live our lives in sync with the ways and will of God; that as God looks down from the portals of heaven, He would find pleasure as He sees us living our lives to bring honor and glory to Him.

 

Be a man of the Word:  "keep His statues . . . according to what is written"

 

This is what Paul was saying at the end of Colossians 1:10.  he wrote that we are to be ". . . increasing in the knowledge of God."  How else will we accomplish such a task except through His Word?!

 

II Timothy 2:15 admonishes us to "be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth."

 

Be a man of success:  "that you may succeed"

 

Isn't that what we all want?  We want to live a successful life; to know that our life counts for something; to know that we have accomplished something with our life.

 

True success cannot be gained outside of having a relationship with God.  Bold statement I know . . . especially if you aren't a follower of God.  Sure, you can have success in the eyes of the world, but that success will never fully satisfy.  There will ALWAYS be the driving desire for just a little bit more.  Only by being a man of God will you ever truly succeed in this life and most importantly in the life to come.

 

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Here's how the story ends for David and begins for his son, Solomon:

 

"Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David . . .

and Solomon sat on the throne of Dave his father,

and his kingdom was firmly established." [I Kings 2:10-12]

 

So I guess this Father's Day . . . the key question that is resonating in my heart is this:  Am I being the man God has called me to be . . . in my family, in my world, and in my relationship with Him?  May it be so!  Amen.

 

 

Father's Day Thoughts - Part 2 of 3: Be a Man in Your World

 

Be strong - Show yourself a man

When the time had come for King David to pass from this world into the next, he challenged his son to “be strong and show yourself a man” [II Kings 1:1-2].  Be a man.  What does that look like?

 

So many men and boys in our culture are growing up unaware of what true masculinity is . . . the reason?  They have no one to show them; to bring them from childhood to manhood.

 

There is an epidemic of fatherlessness in our culture and we have a generation of men who don’t know what true manhood is all about.  That is not to say the mothers are unimportant or can’t instill within boys the character needed to be brought into true masculinity.  Many a single mother has struggled to fulfill this need – my mother was one of them and I’m forever thankful for her love and influence in my life.  But a strong, loving, engaged father (or father-figure) is vital to the process.

 

In part one, I focused on what it means to show yourself a man in your family.  In part two, let’s consider being a man in your world . . . Integrity and Purity.

 

BE A MAN IN YOUR WORLD

 

Integrity in your job . . .

 

After the pleasantries of introductions, 9 times out of 10, the first question one man will ask another is:  “So, what do you do for a living?”

 

Work is important to the character of men.  It is part of who we are as men . . . from the very beginning [Genesis 2:15] when God gave man the responsibility of laboring in and tending to the garden.  It does a man good to work and provide.  It seems hardwired into who we are as men.  So, as the man God calls me to be . . . what does that look like in a practical sense?  Colossians 3:22-24 and Ephesians 6:5-6 give us some guidance.
 

• Work at your job not to satisfy your boss, but to honor the Lord!
• Show up on time
• Don’t steal a few extra minutes on your break
• Complete the assigned task
• Go above and beyond the call of duty
• Know that your true reward comes from the Lord, not from man!

Integrity in the workplace is crucial and often rare.  But, as a man who is striving to be who God has called me to be, I know there is a higher standard.  Part of being strong and showing myself a man, is to step up and stand out.  The world is not my standard, but God's Word is.
 

Purity with your friends . . .

 

True friendship sometimes brings pain – Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”  There may be times when you must show yourself a man by standing up for what you know is morally true.  There may be times, as difficult as they might be, that you must bring to the attention of a friend some area in their life where they have fallen short.  This may hurt, but remember:  “Faithful are the wounds of a friend . . . .”

 

God calls us to accountability.  Proverbs tell us that a true friend sticks closer than a brother even when we must call a close friend out.  Do so with a pure heart and a sincere love for your brother making sure to first “check” yourself for logs [Matthew7:1-5].

 

As we live in purity, we must watch our walk – I John 1:6 says,  “If we say that we have fellowship with Him [Christ] and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

 

More often than not, when we get around “the guys” – we go through this strange process of metamorphosis.  We profess to be Christ-like and yet when we hang out with the guys, we are anything but “Christ-like” – with the jokes we tell, the language we use, and the actions we take.  Are you really who you say you are?  Or, is all this Jesus business just a show?  We (and often others from the time we were children) give ourselves a pass by shrugging our shoulders and saying, "Boys will be boys."  I suppose maybe that's the issue . . . are we boys or are we men - most seem unsure. 

 

As you live in purity with your friends, be honest with yourself.  Know your limitations:  not your physical limitations (like how much you can bench or squat), but your spiritual limitations.  [See I Corinthians 10:12]  The Apostle Paul warns us about being spiritually prideful.  He writes:  “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”  It’s so easy to become overly confident in our spirituality.  That innocent lunch with that pretty co-worker can quickly escalate into a moral failure.

 

Be careful, be wise, be honest with yourself about your limitations.

 

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Be a man, be a “real” man . . . the world has all kinds of definitions of what masculinity is to look like . . . most of which are outward tests . . . from the ability to produce mass amounts of facial hair to the feminization of manliness . . . but God calls us to be men of integrity in every area – men with strong character – men of purity.  Psalm 101:2 has become somewhat of a life-verse for me as I strive to be the man that God has called me to be:

 

"I will give heed to the blameless way . . .

I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart."

Father's Day Thoughts - Part 1 of 3: Be a Man in Your Family

Father's Day is this Sunday . . . it brings with it many different emotions for each of us.  Some have a wonderful and loving relationship with their father, yet for others it brings with it the remembrance of pain and regret because of the brokenness of the relationship.

 

For me, Father's Day is bitter-sweet.  Bitter because of the struggle in my relationship with my dad.  I'm reminded of alcoholism, abandonment, divorce . . . fatherlessness.  My dad and I have come a long way in our relationship, but even at the age of 40 there is still pain that surfaces around this time every year.

 

Sweet because I refuse to leave the same legacy handed to me by my father.  I dearly love my wife and children . . . willing to give my life for them if need be.  Although far from perfect, I strive to be the best husband and father I can be.

 

I wanted to share some thoughts on being the man that God has called me to be.

 

My mind is draw to a passage of scripture in which King David, as his life is drawing to its end, is challenging his son, Solomon.  Here's what it says . . .

 

"As David's time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying, 'I am going the way of all the earth.  Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man.'"  [I Kings 2:1-2]

 

". . . show yourself a man."  That resonates with me.

 

In The Message paraphrase of the Bible, it words it this way:  ". . . be strong; show what you're made of."  Another translation [the New Living Translation] says it like this:  ". . . take courage; be a man."

 

Isn't that the desire of every young boy?

     . . . that, one day, they would indeed "be a man"?

 

In fact, isn't that the desire of every man?

     . . . that, when the chips are down; when we are truly put to the test --

                   we will show ourselves to be a man?

 

I suppose the key question would be . . . what does it mean to truly "be a man"?

 

For young boys the test of manhood comes in many ways, but is almost entirely physical:

• Who can run the fastest
• Who can jump the highest
• Who can spit the furthest
• Who can eat the most dirt
• Who can burp the loudest

Unfortunately, many a man never gets past his level of maturity . . . We men are strange creatures.  Get a group of us together and you may hear all sorts of odd noises exuding from the group - as if it were some strange type of guttural form of communication.  It's like a bad episode of "Tool Time" (showing my age again . . . I know).

 

My hope is that we can gain a more accurate, biblical perspective of what true manhood is all about; that you and I as a father, a husband, a brother, a son . . . would show ourselves a man in the eyes of God.

BE A MAN IN YOUR FAMILY

There are several ways that we are called to be godly men in our families.  Here are three important ways that come to mind:  Lead, Love, Nurture

 

Lead Your Family . . .

 

There is a God ordained delineation of roles and responsibilities within a godly household.  I Corinthians 11 demonstrates this . . . "But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ . . . . for man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the man's sake . . ." [I Corinthians 11:3 & 8-9].

 

Please fight the urge to proclaim these verses as bigoted or sexist . . . that's not the intent at all.

 

The Apostle Paul continues . . . "However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.  For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God" [I Corinthians 11:11-12].

 

Something we must remember as husbands is the way in which we are called to lead our families:  True leadership is Christ-like leadership.

 

Check out what Paul writes in Ephesians 5 . . . "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for her . . . so husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies . . . for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church" [Ephesians 5:25-29].

 

As we lead, we do so out of a desire to nourish and cherish our wives . . . it is all born out of Christ-like LOVE.  Which leads me to the next way in which God calls us to be a man in our families . . .

 

Love your wife . . .

 

There are several places in which we are called/commanded by God to love our wife [Colossians 3:19; Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33].  As I looked as these passages, I noticed that in every instance in which husbands are instructed to "love" their wives, the writer uses the Greek word "ἀγάπη."  It's a word that refers to unconditional love; a love that is given regardless of the response.  It's the type of love God demonstrated, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  It's the type of love Christ showed on the cross when he cried out, "Father!  Forgiven them!  For they know not what they do!" [Luke 23:34].  What I also find interesting is that when in the Bible wives are told to love their husbands, a different Greek word is used:  "φιλία" . . . which denotes a love that is given in response to something received.  One is not better than the other, just a different emphasis.

 

I see this as having significance for husbands.  God has placed the responsibility squarely upon our shoulders.  In our role as leader, it is our responsibility to properly and appropriately express our love to our wife - unconditionally, regardless of the response.  God calls us to love our wife even as Christ loved us and gave himself for us!  Big shoes to fill, I know, but that's what we're called to and by God's strength and His grace we can be strong and show ourself a man when it comes to loving our wife as God desires.

 

Nurture your children . . .

 

Being a man in my family means that I take an active role in the up bringing of my children.  Scripture calls me to nurture my children in the ways of the Lord [Ephesians 6:4].  There are two distinct ways in which to do this:  discipline and instruction.  As I discipline my children, I am to do so with consistency - otherwise I run the risk of exasperating and frustrating them [Colossians 3:21].  Being consistent also means that I need to start NOW . . . right away . . . don't wait.  Scripture admonishes me to ". . . bring them up in the discipline . . . of the Lord."

 

It's a process that begins early in their life.  Proverbs 22:15 says this:  "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it far from him."

 

This scripture isn't telling me to beat my children with a stick.  What it's telling us is that the time to deal with teenage rebellion is when your child is 2, 3, 4, 5 years of age by instilling within them godly discipline.  It's not just punishment for wrong doing - although children must learn that there are consequences to their choices - but it's developing within our children the character of Christ.

 

Which brings me to the second way in which we nurture our children:  instruction.  We ". . .. bring them up in the . . . instruction of the Lord."

 

Fathers, as leaders of our household, we have been granted the godly responsibility and obligation of teaching our children the ways of the Lord; of pouring into their lives the truth of God's word, instilling within them a reverence for the Lord; of teaching them daily to walk in the ways of the Lord.  We are to teach them diligently to our children . . . as we sit at home, as we walk along the way - when we lie down and when we rise [see Deuteronomy 6:4-9].

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So as Father's Day rolls around, take the time to consider what it means to be the man that God has called you to be.

 

"Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man" in your family as you lead them, love them, and nurture them.

Temple Building

Recently I've begun to focus more on my health and overall fitness . . . not that I think I'll be a ripped fitness model; nor would I want to be . . . but I have taken an interest in working out and striving to eat more nutritiously.  There are several reasons for this . . .

 

LORDY, LORDY LOOK WHO'S FORTY

 

Yes.  It happened a few months ago.  I turned 40.  At such a mile-stone in life it's good to examine yourself and see where you've been and where you're heading.  As I did this, I guess I didn't like where I saw myself heading physically and the impact it had on me emotionally and spiritually.  So, I figured something needed to change.

 

MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL

 

Ok . . . I'm not going to lie . . . there is vanity at work here.  I admit it . . . I want to look better.  Self-image has its place - and we must strive to keep it in it's place - but when you look in the mirror and don't like what you see - still maintaining a proper perspective on things - it creates a desire within you to make some positive changes in your life.  I want to feel good physically and emotionally.  I want my wife to actually be attracted to me.  I know she loves me and will/would love me regardless of how I look . . . BUT if I can make a change in lifestyle that will strengthen myself, my marriage relationship, and most every other area of life . . . why not make some changes?

 

SOMEBODY'S WATCHIN' ME

 

One's example is critical . . . especially when you know you have impressionable children watching how you live:  where you go, what you say, what you eat, how you behave . . . ultimately, God's called me to be a good and godly example to children.  I want them to see (among many other things) the importance of maintaining good overall heath when it comes to exercise and nutrition.  It's not just about "the kids" . . . it's my desire to be a good and godly example to every one with whom I come into contact.  The word tells me that in whatever I do . . . including my health habits . . . I am to do all for the glory of God [see I Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17].

 

I AM NOT MY OWN

 

As a follower of Jesus, I have committed to honoring God with my body.  Scripture tells me that my body is the dwelling place of the Spirit of God and that I am not my own - I have been bought with a price; therefore, I am to glorify God in my body [see I Corinthians 6:19-20].  "For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live the for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's" [Romans 14:7-8].

 

In all of this, we must maintain a proper perspective.  Looking good, working out, losing weight, building muscle . . . are good things, but we must recognize that these, like many things, can be taken to the extreme . . . even to the point of addictions and disorders.  In the midst of it all we must remember:  "Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" [1 Timothy 4:8].

The Fourth Law of Love

I've been sharing thoughts on the fourth commandment - Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.

These have come from a message I preached some time ago.  You can listen to the message on the player below or view the posts from the links . . .


Key Scriptures:  Exodus 20:8-11, Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Matthew 5:17

"The Law of Love:  Remember the Sabbath"




To read the content, check out the links below:

Remember the Sabbath (Part 1 of 3) - Conceived in Creation

Remember the Sabbath (Part 2 of 3) - Rooted in Redemption

Remember the Sabbath (Part 3 of 3) - Completed In Christ

Remember the Sabbath (Part 3 of 3) - Completed In Christ

          From the key texts we’ve examined in Part 1 & 2 (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15), we learn that Sabbath Day principle was conceived in creation and it is rooted in redemption.  As we find application for us today, we’ll see that it is completed in Christ.

In Matthew 5:17, Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.”  Jesus came to bring completion to the Old Covenant and to establish a New Covenant relationship between God and man.  As we make the transition from the Old Covenant to the New, we’ll see that Jesus brought about completion to God’s redemptive plan.  The redemption of Israel from their slavery in Egypt is seen in light of what it previews; in light of what it points forward to.  Namely, that Christ is our Passover Lamb and that through Him we have redemption by His blood, freedom from our slavery to sin, and the promise of life eternal.

 

God promised to redeem His people from their slavery, bring them through the wilderness, and into a land flowing with milk and honey.  Surely we can see the typology, the symbolism and foreshadowing . . . God, through Christ, has brought completion to His plan of redemption . . . through His death and even more so through His resurrection.

It’s easy then to recognize that the pattern established in the Old Testament Sabbath day observance is picked up and applied in the New Testament.  The pattern we observe in the New Testament of the First Century Church is that, after the resurrection, the followers of Jesus would meet on the first day of the week, rather than the seventh.  We see this precedent set throughout scripture from the book of Acts on.  In Acts 20:7, we find the Church meeting on the first day of the week.  The same in indicated in I Corinthians 16:1 . . . and in Revelation 1:10, we find John writing of being “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” not on the Sabbath day clearly making a distinction between the 1^st day of the week and the 7^th.

Refreshed - Renewed - Restored

So, here’s the connection . . . as the redemption brought about for Israel gave sanction to the Sabbath institution under the Old Covenant, so also the redemption brought about through the resurrection gives sanction to the sacredness of the first day of the week.

 

According to the precedent set in the New Testament, after the resurrection, the Sabbath was changed from the last day of the week to the first.  But the change in the day did not indicate a change in purpose.  As we observe the abiding principle of the Sabbath today, we do so with the same intent and purpose . . . to be refreshed physically, renewed emotionally, and restored spiritually.

We violate and dishonor the Sabbath in one of two ways . . . the first is neglect.  We simply fail to recognize the importance of stopping the busy-ness of life to spend time being refreshed, renewed, and restored in the presence of God.  The second is through formal observance.  That is, we simply go through the motions of fulfilling the religious requirement.  Both of which we must fight against.  The Sabbath is a day to set aside selfish indulgence; to cease the mindless servitude to the pursuit of worldly gain and refresh and refocus our hearts and minds on the pursuit of the things of God.

Let me conclude by going back to where I started:

            We live in a ridiculously fast paced world.  Everything seems to fly by at the speed of life.  We eat fast-food, drive in the fast-lane, and live life in fast-forward.  We have high-speed internet, instant downloads, and automatic transfers.  We are inundated with technology, business, and busy-ness.  Life becomes a blur and we struggle to get from one event to the next as we navigate from work, to school, to sporting events, to dance lessons, gymnastics, soccer practice, and the myriad other events vying for our time.  We struggle to squeeze in time for God by coming to worship, but really it’s only one more thing on our list of things we have to do – one more thing we need to get over with so we can mindlessly move on to the next . . . whatever it is.

            Maybe now more than ever, we need to stop the fast-forward and hit the pause button . . . and contemplate the importance and the value of remembering the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.