When do we worship God?
Have you ever heard the saying, “God’s law was nailed to the cross?”Some people suggest that we do not need to keep God’s Holy Sabbath because Jesus’ death on the cross did away with the law. When Jesus died, he did do away with the ceremonial laws such as sacrificing an unblemished lamb. The reason these laws were done away with is because they each pointed to Jesus. Once Jesus had died for our sins we no longer needed to transfer our sins to a sacrificial lamb because our sins were now transferred to Christ Himself.
God’s holy law, the Ten Commandments, have always been and always will be. His holy law is eternal, never changing. The Bible tells us:
“Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin (break the law) because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” Romans 6:14, 15
“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea we establish the law.” Romans 3:31
Would God really change His mind about the Sabbath? Would He change His mind… and then forget to mention it in His Word?
As believers we have an even higher standard to meet. We, as Christ’s followers are to be the shining example in a world that is sinful. We have a great responsibility to uphold the law of God.
Here is an example: Let’s say you are driving along, over the speed limit, and a police officer pulls you over. You know you did wrong and you tell the officer you are sorry. He forgives you and rather than issue a ticket warns you not to speed again. Are you going to pull back out on the road and speed off? Or are you going to obey the speed limit? You are now under the officer’s grace, and you are thankful so you obey the law. The law is still there. You still have broken the law, but you were forgiven.
Christians have a double obligation to keep God’s law! We are to be an example of holy living to the rest of the world.
Suggesting that God’s law was done away with at the cross or “nailed to the cross,” also suggests that it was the law that saved the Israelites and gave them eternal life. However, the law never could and never will save anyone! The Jewish people were not saved by keeping the Law. They were saved by the blood of Jesus!
God’s law is to be written on our hearts. Remember what I said about keeping God’s law being a heart issue not a works issue?
