On Sanctifying the Sabbath

[edited and updated blog]

There are probably more if I could bring them to mind. But 5 major points of disagreement, with caused the remoteness, with brothers and sisters in Christ in my local hemisphere have been:

Not celebrating X-mass and Easter, as they are man made holy days rather than God ordained ones.

EP. Most folks think I'm out of my tree on this one.

Not voting. This got me some very sharp opinions, (none complimentary I may add!) and again out of my tree is the general concensus.

Sanctifying the Sabbath.

Not believing a little evil for the greater good is a Biblical concept.

Richard Cameron when fired for speaking against the indulgences was thought to be somewhat of an upstart, cos he was a young man. I have had similar said because I am not a mature Christian, but I have had wise teachers. And this quote from the bio of Richard Cameron, Lion of the Covenant by Maurice Grant, speaks well to things I share with Richard Cameron, which tho a different kind of fire, is by nature very similar: Its a letter from his teacher John Welwood:

"The Lord hath been training you in the high court to Heaven, which is through many tribulations. I know a little of it through my own experience, that a Christian's life is a warfare, and he that standeth need to take heed lest he fall. We have need often to sit down and to count the cost; and heaven will cost us no small toil, and no few crosses, and many ups and downs and many ups and downs will we ere meet with. Oh but it takes much to humble us many a day, yet the very second that he lifts us up, we are ready to miscarry. Oh but it takes a long time and much pains to teach us wisdom, for we are at first as a wild ass's colt. But in this we may comfort ourselves; all our springs are in him; the fountain is full."

Samuel Rutherford in his letters, during his confinement spoke of how hard he found Lord's Day in his prison and separated from God's people, and I find all these inner conflicts stir in me too almost every Lord's Day without exception

"Let me speak to you, how kind a fellow-prisoner is Christ to me! Believe me, this kind of cross (that would not go by my door, but would needs visit me) is still the longer the more welcome to me. It is true, my silent, Sabbaths have been, and still are, as glassy ice whereon my faith can scarce hold its feet, and I am often blown on my back and off my feet with a storm of doubting. Yet truly, my bonds all this time cast a mighty and rank smell of high and deep love in Christ. I cannot, indeed, see through my cross to the far-end; yet I believe I am in Christ's books, and in his decree (not yet unfolded to me), a man triumphing, dancing and singing on the other side of the Red Sea, and laughing and praising the Lamb, over beyond time, sorrow, deprivation, prelates indignation, losses, want of friends, and death. Heaven is not a fowl flying in the air (as men used to speak of things that are uncertain); nay, it is well paid for. Christ's comprisement lieth on glory for all the mourners in Zion, and shall never be loosed. Let us be glad and rejoice that we have blood, losses and wounds to show our Master and Captain at his appearance, and what we suffered for his cause."

But sometimes you would just like a bit of comfort, or ease, or relief from such a hard existence, and the road can be very tempting at times. But, like Doc Martin who was a lone voice in his Reformation battle cry, and like Richard Cameron who endured persecution rather than compromise, and of course, most of all like our Lord, Christ, who was persecuted more than anyone else ever has been or will be. Standing out from the crowd, or being seen as none conformist, or even at times mad, (folks thought Christ was mad, or demon posessed) has an eternal weight of glory, for sticking to the truths now, even tho they cost us dearly, and make what would already be a difficult or hard existence, seem at times, almost intolerable.

The Sabbath should be sanctified, yet in my personal experience this means different things to different people. Yet, the Bible is explicit about this. So, whether worshipping at home, alone or with others, or whether attending corporate worship, lets seek to sanctify the day, and rid ourselves of vain excuses to do as we please, and justify it in our consciences. No one gets it perfect of course, I wish I could do better, yet, I also know God knows what every Lord's Day brings and the degree of emotional affliction that goes along with it, and I don't think for a minute He doesn't understand or know I try my best to keep it hallowed, even allowing like most folks, there is always some falling short. Yet,vain excuses can be made one upon another week after week. And though God doesn't promise to bless us if we keep it Holy, in this life, do think many Christians could be more blessed if they at least gave a heart felt attempt to. |