STRANGE CONCEPTIONS

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 8, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 14.

STRANGE CONCEPTIONS.

A CORRESPONDENT, who believes in the observance of any day as a Sabbath, writes:—

“The wealthy can keep every day of the week. The poor man who has a family to support may keep two days, either day, neither day, or a part of two days, and still be saved.”

No one who has a true conception of the nature of God’s requirements and the Sabbath could ever so write. As to how God’s justice and mercy may deal with man’s purpose and ignorance we can not presume to say. But the only safe way for any man to do is to obey explicitly just what God says. He who believes God, who trusts in His knowledge and wisdom, could not do otherwise. He would say: “God’s way is best; I have no desire to walk in any other.” “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” “Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.” “Why call ye Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” These are the words of Jesus, who was one with the Father, the One by whom the Sabbath was given and the law spoken. Do these words mean anything?

God’s commands are not mere arbitrary words, such as men issue. There is life in the words of God. His commands are filled with life and blessing to the doer by faith. But he who knowingly, willingly sets aside or perverts God’s commands perverts God’s blessing and life to curses and death.

Does God mean what He says? He declares: “The seventh day is the Sabbath of Jehovah thy God.” Surely it does not mean any day, or a part of two days, but one definite day, the seventh of the weekly cycle.

Neither in the light of the law can the wealthy keep every day. The command is, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Man can not make holy a single thing. However he may keep a day does not make it holy. God only can make anything holy. He has placed His blessing on the seventh day and commands that it be kept what He has made it—holy. And this only can be done by men made holy by the cleansing grace of Jesus Christ. Then the observance of the day will be voluntary, worshipful, beneficial, a “delight.” There can be no other observance acceptable to God. True Sabbath-keeping is possible only through Christ Jesus.