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Dr. Betters,

Reference the Sabbath Day, how are we to observe it? Example, I say this humbly, but pray earnestly daily and read God's Word almost daily. I worship at church on Sunday. On the Sabbath Day, should I be more worshipful most if not all day long. In other words, is it wrong to play golf, or watch sporting events on Sunday (the Sabbath) even if I am mindful of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ while doing these things? I do stay out of areas of frenetic commerce. I should mention, that I am single and do not have children.

Thank you, Carl

Pastor Betters responds:

Carl,

That is a great question. We have to take a look at the Old and New Testament to see what is required of us. The moral law (the 10 Commandments) instruct us to remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8-11). We are to work for 6 days and rest on the Sabbath. In this commandment, as in all the commandments, there are certain things that are expressly forbidden and things that are required of us.

What is forbidden? Simply put, it is forbidden to NOT observe the Sabbath Day. Included in the 4th commandment is the reason why and how we are to observe the Sabbath. We are to observe it because God observed it in Creation (and God rested on the 7th day). We are to observe it by worship and rest. So we are required to worship and rest. We are actually forbidden from NOT worshipping and NOT resting! (On a side point, I think that we have to keep this in mind when asked to work on Sundays).

I believe that recreation is NOT expressly forbidden but not at the expense of worship. In other words, if you are playing golf and "forsaking the assembly" (Hebrews 10:24), than you are breaking the 4th commandment. But this does not mean that there isn't time in the day to worship and enjoy God through recreation.

In Mark 2 and Matthew 12, Jesus declares himself to be Lord of the Sabbath. He also says that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). The Sabbath is a rule and guide to direct us towards God's will. Think about it. God's Word is complete in principle but does not give many specific instructions or details on what worship should look like. He simply tells us to rest and worship. But what does that rest and worship look like? What brings you to rest so that you can worship God without distraction? There is freedom in God's Word (I Corinthians 10 and Romans 14). Unfortunately, many people have just used the rule and guide as another way to justify a list of behavior and rules.

What did God do on the 7th day? He rested! Recreation is an incredible form of rest...especially in today's day and age.

I hope this helps and thanks for the question.

In His Grip,
Dr. Chuck Betters

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