“Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?" - Matthew 15:3
When we read this verse in Matthew, we can pretty much clearly see how Jesus was addressing the Pharisees. But what if that applied today? What if, what He spoke two thousand years ago was also meant for us today? Have we created any traditions that may be breaking God's commandments? Many do not really think of this because they think when Jesus spoke it was mostly for the Old Testament saints. Many, out of ignorance, and by incorrect teachings by the church think grace will supersede God's own Word.
If you look at the church folks today, especially on Sundays, what can we observe? Have they created traditions for themselves thinking it is all trivial? Do they think they are trivial because it is what they are used too and what their parents did from long ago?
One time, I observed a senior group come to a particular restaurant after church. They went every week. Many ordered the same thing every week. It was a day for them to get together and catch up with friends or family. It was a day after church many used for themselves. It had become a tradition.
Whether you go to the same place or a different place, one may have made a tradition to go eat after church. Maybe some are using the day to religiously watch football. In fact, many are missing church because of football season. Maybe some have family fishing, hunting, and sports activities. These activities in themselves are not wrong, but they have become idols for many Christians. If you get more excited about other things than God, you better ask God if you have idols.
It is just like watching violence or sex on TV and getting desensitized. We have been desensitized by the world regarding keeping the 4th commandment. If you watch enough sex and violence, especially sexual perversion, we would think this is how the world functions and how it is normal. Am I wrong? Because our teenagers are getting pregnant and having sex thinking everyone does it. Even many of our Christian teenagers, the church goers.
Have you ever noticed of yourself if you get excited because it is Sunday and you get to go worship corporately or because it is football day. Or maybe because you get to go hunting with your kids? Or maybe it is the day of BIG Blue Light Special? Or maybe the day for Big Sunday Sale at your favorite mall? You get more excited over shopping than worship? Check for idols my friends.
Fourth commandment - Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy..." Sunday is a day we go to church because we are separated people that shows the world that we belong to someone else. Yet, after church, and in most cases, our churches give a measly hour to our God and the rest of the day we go spend for ourselves. Church in itself is not a building. We are the church. But scripture says that we are to assemble.
Many say we are no longer under the law. Sorry friend, Paul meant the ceremonial laws not the 10 commandments!
Romans 3:31 - "Do we then by [this] faith make the Law of no effect, overthrow it or make it a dead letter? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law..."
Have you noticed what this world is doing? They are attempting to make commerce 24 hours 7 days a week. They have placed many popular sports on Sundays. They have placed many shopping sale days on Sundays. They have made many family sports days on Sundays. Even some of our churches have sports events on Sunday. People come to church for the sport activity instead of learning God.
Am I being too stringent? I am just a messenger. What I speak about was the norm before our people let the devil in our bedroom! And you wonder why our people are dying in our churches like flies? And you wonder why there is no power in our churches? And you wonder why most of our churches look dead instead of alive? This world is deceiving many. Wake up! God is very serious about His 10 commandments?
Think about it, you know you can't steal. You know you can't murder. You know you can't commit adultery. But then what is the 4th commandment all about? You must ask this for yourself. You must ask God about this, it is one of the 10 commandments. You must ask yourself, what does it mean to keep the Sabbath Holy. I will at this moment not write about whether it is Saturday or Sunday. It is Sunday right now and I will in a later date write about it.
Some have told me that the 4th commandment no longer apply but the other nine do. Some have even told me the 10 commandments do not apply at all. Some folks are full of nonsense.
The question remains, what does it mean to keep it HOLY? Why was it instituted during the Old Testament?
Ezekiel 20:12 (Amplified Bible)- 12Moreover, also I gave them My Sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, that they might understand and realize that I am the Lord Who sanctifies them [separates and sets them apart]..."
God was very severe during the Old Testament days with those who broke the 4th commandment. Do you think He just forget about it or might have said, "Ops?"
Many have misinterprated Col 2:16. After judging so many in the older days and after many got stoned and killed for breaking the Sabbath, do you think we get a pass? Many of those in the Old Testament who received judgment for breaking the Sabbath are in hell. How is our God just if He does not enforce it in the New Testament era?
In the Old Testament days, an adulterer got stoned for cheating on one's spouse. Today, we do not stone people but it does not mean they are exempt from God's judgment for adultery. Will a Christian who continues to commit adultery without repenting inherit the Kingdom of God? And at the same time, it does not mean we are exempt from God's judgment for breaking the 4th commandment either.
Keep it Holy. What does this mean? This means the day belongs to Him, not us. It is not for our personal pleasure. We do have grace for many things but you must be wise. If you have church at 5 PM or a football game, which will you choose? If you have church at 10 AM or a 2 hours window for a 80% off Sale at the mall, which will you choose?
Pastor Kim, Yong Do has received personal instruction from our Lord on this matter. You may read it online at www.spiritlessons.com , "Baptize by Fire," books 1 to 5.
Many will argue that I may be a legalist and that the 10 commandments no longer apply. Well, I will have to testify, when I was a fundamentalist thinking like those who accuse me, I did not have any power and was in bondage to smoking and drinking. I just to justify my sin by saying the Blood of Jesus got me covered.
Now, that I strive to walk in holiness and obedience, the Power of God is walking with me. His signs and wonders follow. He delivered me from smoking and drinking. But most importantly, I truly hear His voice. I walk in the commission that He has bestowed to me as He has bestowed on ALL His Children, to drive out demons, lay hands on the sick and speak in new tongues (Mark 16:17-20). Salvation is a two sided coin, FAITH and Works of Obedience. You can not have the one without the other because James said it. Faith without works of obedience is DEAD. You must know the Full Council of God.
I suggest every one of you ask God in regards to this matter. It is important. I will discuss more on this matter as time goes by. BE blessed.
