"IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE."
By R. F. C.
We often hear professed christians say, It makes no difference what day we keep for the Sabbath, if we only keep a day. Do they not observe the first day, and think it would be better if all would do so? Certainly. How is it then that it makes no difference? What has led them to this conclusion? Simply this: God has commanded them to keep one day, and they find themselves and the world keeping another—a day that he has not commanded any one to keep; and the only excuse that they can see, to justify them in the course they are pursuing, is to say, It makes no difference. A worldling hears this assertion from a professed christian, and in his heart replies: "If it makes no difference what day you keep, then it makes no difference whether I keep any day; for if all days are alike in the sight of God, and I am at liberty to work any days I please, and rest any day I please, then I may work every day if I please, for there is no one day in the seven that He requires me to keep." So he acts more consistently with his faith than the other, and keeps no Sabbath at all. Now who will have to answer for the laxity of morals that now exists, occasioned by living out the false theory, that there is no Sabbath? Perhaps Nadab and Abihu thought so when they offered strange fire before the Lord. God had forbidden the offering of strange fire, and directed that they should take fire from off the altar which was before the Lord. They doubtless reasoned like this: Fire is fire, and what difference does it make what fire we take? Was their substitute accepted? "There went out a fire from the Lord and devoured them; and they died before the Lord." And God said, "I will be sanctified in them that came nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified." Now this was "written aforetime for our learning," and "for our admonition." Rom. xv, 4; 1 Cor. x, 5-11. Their fate is an example to us, should we think of offering a substitute to God. We may say, "A day is a day, and it makes no difference." But God has not so taught in his word. He has bid us keep his Sabbath holy; and said, The seventh day is the Sabbath. Sentence against an evil work is not always speedily executed, but a day of recompense is coming, and we have been warned by examples; and as God slew those who anciently offered a substitute for what he had commanded, so he will slay all others who are knowingly and willingly guilty of the same thing. R. F. C.