Day 5: Is Keeping the Sabbath Legalistic?

When do we worship God?

We have discussed the fact that the Sabbath was created at the end of the first week when God rested and blessed the seventh day, setting it apart from the rest of the week. We have also looked at how the Sabbath was given in God’s Ten Commandments as the Fourth Commandment. God asked us to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

The Fourth Commandment is the only one that begins with the word “Remember.” That suggests to me that God didn’t want us to forget the Sabbath. I was raised not keeping the Sabbath. In fact, even though I went to church on a regular basis, I was never taught about the Sabbath.

It was not until I met my future husband, Mykal, who believed in following all of God’s Commandments that I began to understand – really understand – God’s plan for this world. Mykal was a Sabbath keeper. In other words, he kept the seventh-day Sabbath just as Jesus did during His life here on earth. It was something I had never studied and so I began an exciting foray into the Scriptures to learn just what God wanted me to understand. It was then that I realized how much I wanted to live a Biblical life. To really follow the Word of God and not the ideas of men.

Many people reject the idea of “keeping the commandments” because they believe that trying to keep God’s law is legalistic and no one can “work their way to heaven” so it doesn’t really matter which day we go to church. I agree that no can work their way to heaven. The only thing that makes us righteous before God is Jesus’ blood covering our sins. HE is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is the only way. Our belief in Him, our relationship with Him, is all that can ultimately save us from eternal death.

What did Jesus say? The Bible says:

And that is not all the Bible says about commandment keeping. God never changes and so, He promises:

Is it really legalistic to keep the Sabbath? Or does God want us to keep keep ALL of His Law?

Think about this: Is it okay today to lie, steal, commit adultery, dishonor our parents, worship idols, take the Lord’s name in vain, or covet? Of course not! Then why is it okay to disregard God’s Sabbath?

Did Jesus say, “Go and sin no more.” or did He say, “Go and do whatever you want?”

Is it legalistic to be obedient to God? The Bible is very clear that God expects us to seek out Him on a daily basis and be obedient. Psa 89:30-32 says,

Keeping God’s commandments are part of our worship. It is how we express our love for Him. Of course, if you are keeping God’s law because you want to be “good enough” to get to heaven, or “work your way” to heaven, that is wrong. But so would reading your Bible be wrong if that was your reason for doing do. You see, keeping God’s Law and keeping the Sabbath is about your motives. It is a matter of the heart. And God knows the difference. Here are a few more verses on keeping God’s Commandments: