"Dear Vonnie" Sabbath Day

Each Saturday, I will do my best to answer any questions you may throw at me. I don't pretend to be an expert, but I know it's not easy being a wife and mother. It can be frustrating and discouraging, yet very rewarding. I'd be glad to listen to you, pray for you, and share some of my thoughts with you.

So, ask me something... anything... **Contact Me**

Dear Vonnie,
What does Sabbath mean to you, and how do you utilize a day of rest?
Signed, Confused




In the Old Testament, under the Law of Moses, the Israelites were required to give one day to the Lord. There were not to work or travel on that day. As the years passed, the Pharisees interpreted the commandment “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy” into lists of do’s and don’t’s, making it more day of legalistic rituals instead of worshiping the Lord.

Today, under the dispensation of Grace, we are not required to live under the Law. Every day is a Sabbath, and we can rest in the finished work of Salvation. The early Christians met together on the first day of the week, to celebrate the Day of Resurrection.

Jesus said, "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath." Mark 2:27

For centuries, Christians have designated Sunday as the Lord’s Day. Businesses and schools and stores all shut down to make it a day of rest. It has only been in the last few years that the day has been treated like any other. To non-church going people, it is often a day to sleep late and spend time with the family.

My father’s generation was not even as strict with acceptable behavior as the one before him, where they had to sit quietly and read Bible stories all day. But he did not let me and my brothers swim or visit our friends. We attended church in the morning and played quietly or took a walk in the afternoon, before returning to church in the evening.

I’ve thought of the meaning of the Lord’s Day when my children were young. I know we are not under the law, required to do things to maintain our salvation, but I think we should give some of our time to the Lord. Just as we tithe our money, we should offer part of our time to Him also. One day of the week could be set apart to worshiping Him.

My husband and I strongly urge our children to tell their employers that they will not be able to work on Sundays. If they have to shovel someone’s driveway or babysit on that day, we tell them to do it as a gift to the Lord. We don’t mow our lawn or fix cars or do anymore housework than necessary.

We attend and participate in all the services on Sunday…Sunday School, Morning Worship, and Evening Service, and often choir practice or going to the nursing home.
We invite guests to eat dinner with us, but we don’t forbid sporty activities in the afternoon. It is a day to be different than our regular work and school days, a day to serve the Lord and enjoy fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters.

We shouldn’t judge one another in the way they choose to honor and worship the Lord, but they should be taught and encouraged to give a part of their time to the Lord. Thus, Sunday being the day that we gather together to worship, it is reasonable that it should be the day that we give to Him.

Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:24,25