When someone asks the question, "Do the ten commandments still apply to us today?" I cringe. I know what's coming next - usually anyway. The common answer is, "All those that are repeated in the New Testament, so all but the Sabbath." That's just wrong.
Hebrews 4:9 says "There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God" and further in vs. 11 "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest..."
The right answer, at least about the Sabbath, is yes, it most definitely does apply today. In fact, to think otherwise is an affront to the gift, the sacrifice, the suffering of Christ. Like so many other things from the Old Testament, the Sabbath is a shadow of things to come. In fact, a mighty powerful shadow it is. The Sabbath makes stark the reality of sin's entrance into the world and its resulting punishment. The reason there is need for the Sabbath under the old law is because sin creates harder, repetitive work for man. Resting from that work, reminds him of that.
Now, we have a spiritual rest, but it is very similar to the old rest. It is still sin that creates the need for spiritual rest. Jesus, the awe striking Savior, becomes our much needed Sabbath. Praise Him for that!
When someone utters the question about the validity of the ten commandments, we are given a great opportunity to remind and be reminded of what a gracious and generous God we serve and love by affirming the Sabbath as yet quite applicable. If it's not we are in grave trouble indeed.
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1 comment:
That is always something hard to explain. And yet you did it in a few short pharagraphs. Thanks.
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