Thoughts on the 4th Commandment

I told the people of Grace Baptist Church in Westlake, OH yesterday, that I would blog this week about the 4th commandment. I am doing a series of messages on the 10 commandments, and this one was especially challenging to study and communicate. There are so many different ideas that commentators, scholars and pastors have about this 4th commandment and how it applies to our lives today. It took me almost twice as much time to study and prepare for this commandment as it had for the previous 3 commandments. So, I felt that there were many other things I would have like to have said in the message, that there was just not time for. I am assuming that others who heard the message are still thinking their way through it as well. If you are interested in listening to the message, you can go to www.gbcwestlake.org, click on the link to listen to the messages and choose the title: "TAKE A DEEP BREATH".

One of the things that stood out to me as I studied Jesus' treatment of the Sabbath Day, was that relationships were much more important to him than rules. I think this is crucial for us to consider, because it is human nature to create and lean on rules, even to the harm of relationships. Obviously, if it is a lasting rule of God, those are more important than human relationships, because obeying God's rules are all about our relationship with God. But, when it comes to human rules and regulations that are added to God's Word, they can hurt, damage and even destroy our relationships with others.

Jesus set aside their rules on the Sabbath in order to heal people. Keep in mind: Jesus could have done it on Friday or Sunday, couldn't He? He could have kept from offending the religious people by simply doing it when they would allow it: on a different day. So, I think we can conclude that Jesus specifically targeted this special day, over and over again, to do certain things, including healing, that He knew would drive the religious leaders crazy. If we were His advisors, we might have told Jesus: listen Jesus, don't cause waves, don't offend needlessly. If you have to do something on the Sabbath Day, do it in private. But, don't "rub it in the faces" of the religious leaders. That might get you in trouble!

Jesus was not concerned with the religious people who were all about rules and regulations, and expected Jesus to do the same. Jesus loved people, and was willing to reach out to them with the truth (Himself), even if that meant breaking the man made rules and regulations about a special Jewish Day.

This challenges me, personally, in many ways. First, I have to be careful of making my own rules for living, that I then make absolutes for others. I must keep it all about what the Bible says and doesn't say. It is so easy for us to get away from the Scriptures and preach our own philosophy of life. I desire to preach God's Word and help people understand it and apply it.

Another thing I must do, is remember that people who are searching are more important to reach out to and invest time in, then religious people who are criticizing those efforts. That is what happened to Jesus, and any Christian who makes sacrifices to reach out to others has experienced well meaning Christians (perhaps) who spend their time criticizing those who are reaching out rather than encouraging and participating in the outreach efforts (by setting aside their personal rules and preferences).

A third thing I must continue, as a pastor who leads a church. I cannot allow us to become a people that are known more for what they don't do (because of stringent rules) and what they are against, than the love they have for the people in the community. Yes, we will teach and preach the Word of God without compromise, and we won't apologize for it; but we will also be known (that is our prayer) for our love and the grace that we offer (by the power of Christ) to others.

May you grow in the grace and knowledge of God as you study and apply this 4th commandment.