The True Sabbath

Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles (Rom 11:13). Paul says we are "under grace" and "not under 'the law" that was given to Israel. Romans 6:14b ... ye are not under the law, but under grace. The law was  not and is not for the Gentile "body of Christ," so any law regarding "the sabbath" is irrelevant to us as members of "the body of Christ."

Under Paul's "gospel of the grace of God" is for us today. Under this gospel, Paul says, there are no special days or seasons, limits upon what we eat, etc. to be observed. Paul says all things are lawful so Paul says don't let anyone judge you in matters of "the Law," including the Sabbath.

Col. 2:16-17 do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ

Above we note that the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, says these outer items of worship found under "the law" of God for Israel are now for us a symbol or shadow of a greater relational reality. Let us proceed to the weightier, heart of the matter, which the Sabbath symbolizes.

As a Christian I do not keep the Sabbath, not the literal seventh day rests. But I do enjoy the inner rest of which Israel's Sabbath was a type or symbol. The Sabbath pause in outward business was but a parable of the inner hush, which is not one day, but for every days, not for one race of people but for all men, not for the hereafter but for the now. The Apostle Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, (Rom 11:13) tells us we no longer have to care for an outward Sabbath (Col 2:16) because the true Sabbath-keeping that awaits the people of God is one that undiminished by the storms of this life. Every faithful believer carries this Sabbath within them. Our Sabbath today, under "the dispensation of the grace of God"  is the place of rest that we have in Christ, who indwells in our human spirit. We turn to Him in trust... in order to rest.

In the Old Testament there was to be No Burden-Bearing under Israel's Mosaic Law.

Jeremiah 17:21-22 This is what the Lord says: Be careful not to carry a load on the Sabbath day or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem. 22Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your forefathers.

Nehemiah was so urgent to keep this matter of "no burden bearing" that he set servants at the city gates.

Neh. 13:19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

What was true of that day externally is true in today's "dispensation of the grace of God" for the Gentile "body of Christ"... but only in an inward way. There can be no true Sabbath keeping when burdens are brought into our soul to trouble us. It's like trying to sleep when gangs of children are running in the house. Our inappropriate attention to our cares breaks the rest and peace that is intended for our soul. There is then no hope that we shall know the peace of Christ, that "passes all understanding" until we are able to shut the door against the long train of burden-bearing thoughts and concerns.

Seeing the results of burden-bearing, we will notice that the heavy laden people have a care-worn look, of weary eyes and head hung low. Each thought and care is as tiny snowflakes, which can build into a deep drift that can block out the light of God from our soul.

Today we can unburden ourselves.

Philip. 4:6-7 Be careful (Gk. merimnao, anxiousfor nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We all face some or all of these concerns; employers with unreasonable demands, co-workers that are nor dependable, unkind gossip, and slander that may be circulating about us, the perplexities and adversities of business, the difficulty of making two ends meet, the question of moving our household or situation, or of obtaining another, children with ailments of childhood and the waywardness of youths, provision for sickness and old age; these are but some of the situations and circumstances that our loving Father permits to come into our lives.

I can personally say that there are some whose businesses are terribly trying and liable to cause any of us anxious thoughts and stress to the point of a stress-induced heart attack, which I had. But consider what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7 (above); he does not say pray and God will give you the remedy or take away your situation. What Paul is saying is, pray and don't be anxious; this prayer is to give it to the Lord, letting go, and you'll have the peace of God.

From my own experience, you will know you have believed and given it to the Lord when the peace of God is restored to you. This requires that you let go of your circumstance, knowing and believing that all is working for our eternal good. If our goals are eternal, out of this world then what happens in this temporal world is of little bearing. We may be drawn away for a short time by the cares of this life, but we must return to trusting our Father in all the things that He permits to come our way and touch our lives.