THE HOLY DAY OF GOD
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
— Exodus 20:8
The Sabbath is a day that God Himself blessed and sanctified.
Before there was a nation of Israel, and before the Law was given through Moses at Sinai, Scripture tells us:
“And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.”
— Genesis 2:3
Therefore, we should carefully distinguish between what God established from the beginning and the Law later given to Israel.
We are not justified by keeping the Law, nor are we placing believers under the Mosaic Law as a means of salvation. Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law. Salvation is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
But freedom from the Law as a means of justification does not mean that we should disregard what God loves, blesses, or calls holy.
The commandment says:
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
— Exodus 20:8
We remember and honor God’s Holy Day because we love God—not because we are trying to earn salvation, and not because we are forced to do so under the Law.
Jesus said:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
— John 14:15
Our obedience should therefore flow from love, not bondage.
WHAT COMMANDMENTS?
The commandments from the beginning.
“Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning.”
— 1 John 2:7
Jesus repeatedly connected loving Him, following Him, and abiding in Him with obedience.
JESUS SAID:
“But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”
— Matthew 19:17
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”
— John 15:10
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
— John 14:15
Jesus also said to those who believed in Him:
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
— John 8:31–32
Notice the pattern:
LOVE → OBEDIENCE → CONTINUING IN HIS WORD → FREEDOM
We do not obey Jesus in order to purchase salvation. We obey Him because we love Him, believe Him, and desire to continue in His Word.
IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law:
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law…”
— Galatians 3:13
We are not justified before God by works of the Law.
Neither should believers condemn one another concerning food, drink, holy days, new moons, or sabbaths:
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.”
— Colossians 2:16
See also Romans 8:1–4.
This raises an important distinction:
Freedom from condemnation is not the same thing as rejecting what God has called holy.
The question should not simply be:
“Do I have to keep the Sabbath?”
For someone who loves God, perhaps the deeper question is:
“If God blessed the seventh day, sanctified it, and commanded that it be remembered and kept holy, why would I not desire to honor it?”
Not because we are trying to earn righteousness.
Not because the Mosaic Law is being imposed upon us.
Not because another person has the right to condemn us.
But because we love God.
Jesus said:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
— John 14:15
REFLECTION
Consider these questions prayerfully:
- Was God’s Holy Day removed under the New Covenant?
- Did Jesus abolish the Sabbath, or did He teach its proper purpose?
- Did the apostles command believers to treat God’s sanctified seventh day as no longer holy?
- Does freedom from the Law mean freedom from loving obedience to God?
- Did God change His mind concerning the day that He blessed and sanctified?
- Has God’s Word passed away?
- If the Sabbath existed from Creation, before Sinai, should we understand it only as part of the Law given to Israel?
Do not simply follow religious tradition—whether for or against the Sabbath.
Search the Scriptures.
Meditate on the Word of God and ask Him for wisdom, understanding, and guidance.
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach His disciples and bring His words to remembrance.
John 14:26; John 16:13–15; Luke 11:9
Let Scripture—not tradition, denomination, or human opinion—have the final word.
May the love, peace, and joy of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Be blessed,
SetToBeFree Ministries
HOPE • HEALING • FREEDOM
SetToBeFree.com
