Worship

Exodus 31: 12-14

“12 Then the Lord said to Moses, 13 “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. 14 “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people.”

Going to church is the most common way we observe the Lord’s Day.  Why do we go to church?  Is it because our parents went to church?  Is it because we feel guilty when we do not?

The Israelites were told that they would be put to death or at the very least ostracized if they did not observe the Sabbath.  There was great societal pressure for them to make the Lord’s Day holy.

The New Covenant, sealed with the blood of Christ, is written on our hearts.  We worship God, read scripture, fellowship with other Christians, perform acts of kindness and service, and sacrifice our time and resources, not from any sense of obligation, but because of our love of God and Christ; because we want to know and have a deeper relationship with them.

For Christians, the threat of death or social isolation are not needed in order for us to set aside time for God.  God’s Holy Spirit dwells within us.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)