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Is Keeping The Sabbath Holy...Observing It Correctly on The 7th Day (Friday Sundown to Saturday
Sundown)...Legalistic?
En Español 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.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 |
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By Faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death: and was not found, because YAHUVEH had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased YAHUVEH. Hebrews 11:5