The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Where do you and/or your church stand?

I can heartily agree with your general view of the Sabbath which most all the Reformed churches have upheld as "The Lord's Day" from which one is to abstain from their regular work and recreation. (cf. Is 58:13, 14) Additionally, most of our forefathers were very wise in not legislating a list of "do's & don'ts" for Sabbath observance but rather gave a two-fold principle of what could be done in addition to the attending to the corporate and family worship of God, e.g,. "works of mercy and necessity".

The Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 117

Q 117: How is the sabbath or the Lord's day to be sanctified?
A 117: The sabbath or Lord's day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day,[1] not only from such works as are at all times sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on other days lawful;[2] and making it our delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to betaken up in works of necessity and mercy)[3] in the public and private exercises of God's worship:[4] and, to that end, we are to prepare our hearts, and with such foresight, diligence, and moderation, to dispose and seasonably dispatch our worldly business, that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day.[5]

1. Exod. 20:8, 10
2. Exod. 16:25-28; Neh. 13:15-22; Jer. 17:21-22
3. Matt. 12:1-13
4. Isa. 58:18; 66:23; Luke 4:16; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:1-2; Psa. ch. 92; Lev. 23:3
5. Exod. 16:22, 25-26, 29; 20:8; Luke 23:54, 56; Neh. 13:19

As with any of God's laws, but especially it seems in regard to the Sabbath, men are always want to either add to or detract from what God requires thinking themselves wiser than God. For example, Wes mentioned that many years ago some thought it "holy" to abstain from preparing meals, even peeling potatoes, or washing dishes on the Lord's Day. But one would be hard-pressed to find anything of the sort encouraged in Scripture. Did the Lord Christ not take long walks on the Sabbath, to the anger of the Pharisees, and pluck grain (corn?) shell it and eat it on the Sabbath? (cf. Matt 12:1, 2, 5, 8; Lk 13:14-16)

The Sabbath was "made for man". (Mk 2:27, 28) It is a day of praiseworthy freedom in which men may give themselves over to the worship of their Creator and Redeemer God. Adding TO what the Lord requires is to remove the freedom graciously given. Detracting FROM what the Lord requires is to impinge upon that freedom graciously given. Pharisaical rule-making and Antinomianism are far too easy a thing for us all to fall into.

THOUGHTS?

In His grace,