Keeping the Sabbath tells people Who you Worship

[mailmandan]

You will see what Christ says at the end, when many who thought they were following Him hear 'you never knew me' and understand the meaning..

Matthew 7:22 - Lord, Lord, didn't WE (works-righteousness). The correct answer would have been Lord, Lord, didn't YOU (the righteousness of God which is by faith). Philippians 3:9 - and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

Matthew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

Luke 18:9 - Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

 

[mailmandan]

So those that only worship one day a week (Saturday) are saved and all others are not, right?

If this is not your claim then why are you wasting everyone's time?

Seventh-day Adventists teach that the near the end of time the "mark of the best" of Revelation 14 will be placed upon those who worship on Sunday instead of Saturday.

Mark of the Beast

Bible Truth Versus SDA Doctrine - Mark of the Beast

nonsda.org

 

[Brakelite]

Seventh-day Adventists teach that the near the end of time the "mark of the best" of Revelation 14 will be placed upon those who worship on Sunday instead of Saturday.

Mark of the Beast

Bible Truth Versus SDA Doctrine - Mark of the Beast

nonsda.org

Why would any of the apostles disagree with Seventh Day Adventists that it is a good thing to obey the Ten Commandments?

As far as a national Sunday law being impossible, I would ask, have you read the news lately?

 

[mailmandan]

Why would any of the apostles disagree with Seventh Day Adventists that it is a good thing to obey the Ten Commandments?

As far as a national Sunday law being impossible, I would ask, have you read the news lately?

The apostles would disagree with Seventh Day Adventists on obeying the ten commandments (with a heavy emphasis on the 4th commandment) as a legalistic prescription for salvation.

Here is a statement below that an SDA once shared with me.

The counterfeit Gospel is out there. What is the other Gospel? It is a Gospel that tries to separate God's Law (10 commandments) from the Cross. It is a Gospel that tries to separate God's 10 commandments from the plan of salvation. God’s Law has always been part of the true Gospel of Christ. The counterfeit Gospel does not have it. God's forever Law (the 10 commandments) is the foundation of both the Old and the New Covenant and the very foundation and basis of the true Gospel of Christ.

National Sunday law? I pay no attention to that SDA boogeyman.

 

[Brakelite]

The apostles would disagree with Seventh Day Adventists on obeying the ten commandments (with a heavy emphasis on the 4th commandment) as a legalistic prescription for salvation.

Indeed they would, and I'd join them, if it were true. You quoted...

It is a (false) Gospel that tries to separate God's Law (10 commandments) from the Cross. It is a (false) Gospel that tries to separate God's 10 commandments from the plan of salvation.

I agree with the above. Do you know why we believe the 10 commandments are closely linked to the plan of salvation or the gospel? Because without the Cross of Christ and the power of His resurrection, it would be impossible to obey God's commandments. God's wants, deserves, our obedience. After all, He is God. He is entitled to be obeyed.

What I'm wondering about is how you find the willingness, let alone the power, to obey God without the gospel? How do you obey Him when you separate salvation from the law? Surely you don't think that your salvation is solely about your eternal life? You don't think it's also about change? A change in character? A change from a state of sin to a state of righteousness? How is righteousness expressed without obedience?

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? ”...
...“19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ”
Romans 6:16, 19-23 KJV

 

[mailmandan]

Indeed they would, and I'd join them, if it were true. You quoted...

I agree with the above. Do you know why we believe the 10 commandments are closely linked to the plan of salvation or the gospel? Because without the Cross of Christ and the power of His resurrection, it would be impossible to obey God's commandments. God's wants, deserves, our obedience. After all, He is God. He is entitled to be obeyed.

What I'm wondering about is how you find the willingness, let alone the power, to obey God without the gospel? How do you obey Him when you separate salvation from the law? Surely you don't think that your salvation is solely about your eternal life? You don't think it's also about change? A change in character? A change from a state of sin to a state of righteousness? How is righteousness expressed without obedience?

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? ”...
...“19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ”
Romans 6:16, 19-23 KJV

Sugar coated double talk.

In regard to Romans 6:16, works-salvationists typically ignore "servants of obedience unto righteousness" and simply stress "obedience unto righteousness" as if works of obedience which "follow saving faith in Christ" are "unto righteousness," as if we are saved by works.

There is a contrast here between servants/slaves. There are only two kinds of servants/slaves in this world, in the spiritual sense: servants/slaves of sin unto death, or servants/slaves of obedience unto righteousness. When we place our faith exclusively in Jesus Christ for salvation/believe the gospel by trusting in His finished work of redemption as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation, we then become "servants of obedience unto righteousness."

Being slaves of sin is put in the past tense. Paul goes on in Romans 6:18 - "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness."

Notice in Romans 10:10 - For with the heart one believes unto righteousness..

Notice in Romans 4:5 - But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith (not his works) is accounted for righteousness.

 

[Brakelite]

Sugar coated double talk.

In regard to Romans 6:16, works-salvationists typically ignore "servants of obedience unto righteousness" and simply stress "obedience unto righteousness" as if works of obedience which "follow saving faith in Christ" are "unto righteousness," as if we are saved by works.

There is a contrast here between servants/slaves. There are only two kinds of servants/slaves in this world, in the spiritual sense: servants/slaves of sin unto death, or servants/slaves of obedience unto righteousness. When we place our faith exclusively in Jesus Christ for salvation/believe the gospel by trusting in His finished work of redemption as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation, we then become "servants of obedience unto righteousness."

Being slaves of sin is put in the past tense. Paul goes on in Romans 6:18 - "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness."

Notice in Romans 10:10 - For with the heart one believes unto righteousness..

Notice in Romans 4:5 - But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith (not his works) is accounted for righteousness.

I believe you are a serious Christian. A Christian zealous for truth, and zealous in defending it, and ambitious to denounce error and expose error wherever it threatens the faith. I admire that.
Seventh Day Adventists are Protestants. Perhaps the only true Protestants left as a denomination. We believe in the reformation, but that it didn't go far enough. The Jesuit led counter-reformation has to a great extent succeeded in creating confusion and compromise within the Protestant churches. As a result many have reverted to Catholicism, and are now accepted once again into the papal fold, daughters now harlots like mother.

Here is a very well known adventist evangelist. You will be hard pressed to find a straighter teacher of the gospel and representative of true adventist teaching than this man. I challenge you to find fault with him or with what he presents in this lecture.

 

[Hobie]

Matthew 7:22 - Lord, Lord, didn't WE (works-righteousness). The correct answer would have been Lord, Lord, didn't YOU (the righteousness of God which is by faith). Philippians 3:9 - and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

Matthew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

Luke 18:9 - Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

What is Gods will, to break the Commandments or to follow them..

 

[mailmandan]

What is Gods will, to break the Commandments or to follow them..

According to God's will, believers are to "keep" (Greek word "tereo" - guard, observe, watch over) His commandments - 1 John 2:3) under the new covenant which does not equate to flawlessly obeying the 10 commandments under the old covenant of law. So, setting out to flawlessly obey the 10 commandments (with a heavy emphasis on the 4th commandment) under the old covenant of law as a legalistic prescription for salvation is not God's will. (Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20, 28; Galatians 2:16, 21; 3:10) Only Jesus Christ has flawlessly obeyed ALL of God's commandments and is without sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22) Man has failed. (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 6:23)

There is a difference between doing God's will in order to become saved: John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

AND

Doing God's will after we have been saved: 1 Thessalonians 5:14 - Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

[Brakelite]

According to God's will, believers are to "keep" (Greek word "tereo" - guard, observe, watch over) His commandments - 1 John 2:3) under the new covenant which does not equate to flawlessly obeying the 10 commandments under the old covenant of law. So, setting out to flawlessly obey the 10 commandments (with a heavy emphasis on the 4th commandment) under the old covenant of law as a legalistic prescription for salvation is not God's will. (Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20, 28; Galatians 2:16, 21; 3:10) Only Jesus Christ has flawlessly obeyed ALL of God's commandments and is without sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22) Man has failed. (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 6:23)

There is a difference between doing God's will in order to become saved: John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

AND

Doing God's will after we have been saved: 1 Thessalonians 5:14 - Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

You keep erecting that straw man which everyone accepts. We all know that obedience as a means to salvation is a flawed concept. No one teaches it, and no one I know practises it.
Why don't you use that same tactic against those who advocate the keeping of the 6th commandment? This Christians throughout the world who advocate for domestic violence victims? Do you accuse them of earning their way to heaven and thus condemn their work ands mindset through the back door?

 

[mailmandan]

You keep erecting that straw man which everyone accepts. We all know that obedience as a means to salvation is a flawed concept. No one teaches it, and no one I know practises it.
Why don't you use that same tactic against those who advocate the keeping of the 6th commandment? This Christians throughout the world who advocate for domestic violence victims? Do you accuse them of earning their way to heaven and thus condemn their work ands mindset through the back door?

You can remain in denial all you want but this statement below written by an SDA says it all for me:

"The counterfeit Gospel is out there. What is the other Gospel? It is a Gospel that tries to separate God's Law (10 commandments) from the Cross. It is a Gospel that tries to separate God's 10 commandments from the plan of salvation. God’s Law has always been part of the true Gospel of Christ. The counterfeit Gospel does not have it. God's forever Law (the 10 commandments) is the foundation of both the Old and the New Covenant and the very foundation and basis of the true Gospel of Christ."

 

[Brakelite]

You can remain in denial all you want but this statement below written by an SDA says it all for me:

"The counterfeit Gospel is out there. What is the other Gospel? It is a Gospel that tries to separate God's Law (10 commandments) from the Cross. It is a Gospel that tries to separate God's 10 commandments from the plan of salvation. God’s Law has always been part of the true Gospel of Christ. The counterfeit Gospel does not have it. God's forever Law (the 10 commandments) is the foundation of both the Old and the New Covenant and the very foundation and basis of the true Gospel of Christ."

Says it all? Really? What part do you object to? It seems to me that everything you post as an objection to the Sabbath and the 10 commandments in general, is merely an excuse for not obeying. Just believe, and you are righteous. I suggest your faith is insufficient. You believe you are righteous because God declared it, so do I. Praise God for imputed righteousness: praise God that we can reckon ourselves dead to sin in and through the death of Christ on Calvary.
How about taking the next step in faith? How about reckoning yourself alive unto God through Jesus our Lord? How about joining the Saviour in His resurrection, becoming a new man in Him? Having the faith to hunger and thirst after the righteousness that radically changes lives so much that the law becomes a delight, a joy, just as it was for Jesus.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: ”
Hebrews 8:10 KJV

“Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. ”
2 Corinthians 3:3 KJV

The Christian Gospel isn't about what we can do, it's about what Christ has done. Christ hasn't annulled the law. He has empowered His children to obey it.
That power is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
That power is the same power that created the universe.
That power is the same power that recreates God's children in the image of Christ .

“15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. ”
Ephesians 1:15-23 KJV

THAT POWER is that which gives God's children the ability to overcome. It isn't just a declaration and imputation of righteousness... it's also the impartation of righteousness through the placing of God's Law, not on tables of stone, but in the tables of the heart.
I praise God and thank Him for the grace, the mercy, the goodness, and the faithfulness He demonstrates through the numerous changes He has made in my life over the past 48 years or so since meeting Him. I thank Him for the love and strength and revelation of His will, His leading and teaching particularly in the last 27 years as a Sabbath keeping adventist. We don't advocate the Sabbath as a means to salvation. But we sure advocate the Sabbath as a means to a better relationship. And ONLY the gospel makes that possible. Without the gospel, obedience is impossible. "Without Me ye can do nothing". Without Jesus, faith is impossible. But with the hope of the Gospel, with Christ living within, all things are possible to them that believe.
The faith to believe that, is what you need brother.

 

[uncle silas]

Says it all? Really? What part do you object to? It seems to me that everything you post as an objection to the Sabbath and the 10 commandments in general, is merely an excuse for not obeying. Just believe, and you are righteous. I suggest your faith is insufficient. You believe you are righteous because God declared it, so do I. Praise God for imputed righteousness: praise God that we can reckon ourselves dead to sin in and through the death of Christ on Calvary.
How about taking the next step in faith? How about reckoning yourself alive unto God through Jesus our Lord? How about joining the Saviour in His resurrection, becoming a new man in Him? Having the faith to hunger and thirst after the righteousness that radically changes lives so much that the law becomes a delight, a joy, just as it was for Jesus.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: ”
Hebrews 8:10 KJV

“Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. ”
2 Corinthians 3:3 KJV

The Christian Gospel isn't about what we can do, it's about what Christ has done. Christ hasn't annulled the law. He has empowered His children to obey it.
That power is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
That power is the same power that created the universe.
That power is the same power that recreates God's children in the image of Christ .

“15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. ”
Ephesians 1:15-23 KJV

THAT POWER is that which gives God's children the ability to overcome. It isn't just a declaration and imputation of righteousness... it's also the impartation of righteousness through the placing of God's Law, not on tables of stone, but in the tables of the heart.
I praise God and thank Him for the grace, the mercy, the goodness, and the faithfulness He demonstrates through the numerous changes He has made in my life over the past 48 years or so since meeting Him. I thank Him for the love and strength and revelation of His will, His leading and teaching particularly in the last 27 years as a Sabbath keeping adventist. We don't advocate the Sabbath as a means to salvation. But we sure advocate the Sabbath as a means to a better relationship. And ONLY the gospel makes that possible. Without the gospel, obedience is impossible. "Without Me ye can do nothing". Without Jesus, faith is impossible. But with the hope of the Gospel, with Christ living within, all things are possible to them that believe.
The faith to believe that, is what you need brother.

Im glad you quoted Heb8:10&2Cor3:3. Yes, all Christians know in their minds God does not want them to steal, murder, take His name in vain, bear false witness, commit adultery, And in their hearts(the flesh is another matter) they do not want to do those things for that is where the law now is, in their hearts and minds. It is instinctively known

Personally speaking, I never have to think of the words ‘’ten commandments’’ no need anymore.

When I first joined internet debating websites I couldn’t even remember what all of the TC were. So, for the purpose of debate I read up on them. It turned out nine as written I already knew in my mind God would want to see replicated in my life, and in my heart I wanted my life to reflect them.

It seems very old covenant to me using the words ‘’ten commandments’’ it speaks of an external law engraved in stone, not an internal law written in the mind and placed on the heart of believers

 

[mailmandan]

Says it all? Really? What part do you object to?

Where his eisegesis culminated in "salvation by grace plus law, faith plus works." He "added" obeying the 10 commandments to the gospel, which makes it a requirement for salvation and since no one except for Jesus Christ has flawlessly obeyed the 10 commandments, guess where that leaves him? The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that BELIEVES. (Romans 1:16)

It seems to me that everything you post as an objection to the Sabbath and the 10 commandments in general, is merely an excuse for not obeying.

Typical SDA straw man argument.

Since the old covenant has been made obsolete, does this leave us with no moral direction? Absolutely not. God made the old covenant obsolete to legally put into place the new covenant. (2 Corinthians 3:6-9; Hebrews 8:6-13) The life of discipleship flows out of the new command, to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34), and the apostle Paul says that by bearing one another's burdens, we fulfill "law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2) So, love fulfills the law (Romans 13:8-10) and out of this single command comes other commands, including references for the moral aspect of 9 of the 10 commandments which are reiterated under the new covenant, yet the command to keep the sabbath day is not binding on Christians under the new covenant.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me. - Acts 14:15
2. You shall make no idols. - 1 John 5:21
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. - James 2:7; James 5:12
4. Keep the sabbath day holy. - Not binding on the Church - Colossians 2:16-17
5. Honor your father and your mother. - Ephesians 6:1-2
6. You shall not murder. - Romans 13:9 10; 1 John 3:15
7. You shall not commit adultery. - Romans 13:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
8. You shall not steal. - Romans 13:9-10; Ephesians 4:28
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. - Romans 13:9-10; Colossians 3:9-10
10. You shall not covet. - Romans 13:9-10; Ephesians 5:3

The moral aspect of the law is written on our hearts. So once again, the law on our heart and mind is the love of the Spirit, not the letter of the law. This is why Paul tells us that the new covenant is a covenant of the Spirit, and not of the letter in 2 Corinthians 3:6-9.

 

[mailmandan]

Im glad you quoted Heb8:10&2Cor3:3. Yes, all Christians know in their minds God does not want them to steal, murder, take His name in vain, bear false witness, commit adultery, And in their hearts(the flesh is another matter) they do not want to do those things for that is where the law now is, in their hearts and minds. It is instinctively known

Personally speaking, I never have to think of the words ‘’ten commandments’’ no need anymore.

When I first joined internet debating websites I couldn’t even remember what all of the TC were. So, for the purpose of debate I read up on them. It turned out nine as written I already knew in my mind God would want to see replicated in my life, and in my heart I wanted my life to reflect them.

It seems very old covenant to me using the words ‘’ten commandments’’ it speaks of an external law engraved in stone, not an internal law written in the mind and placed on the heart of believers

2 Corinthians 3:6 - who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

 

[Johann]

2 Corinthians 3:6 - who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

letter killeth. FS121I2, +Gen_2:17, T1054, This often cited but misapplied text is used too frequently to belittle faithful adherence to the teaching of written Scripture (misidentified as the "letter" that killeth) as opposed to following the "spirit" as identified with the nebulous experience of the objector who alleges a disdain for doctrinal teaching.

More correctly, "letter" refers to the Mosaic law written on stone (thus a direct reference to the Ten Commandments), which brings death because it condemns all who cannot keep it (Lev_18:5 note), but the gospel of Christ, here called "spirit," written in the heart, brings life to all who will receive it. 2Co_3:7; 2Co_3:9, Deu_27:26, Joh_6:63, Rom_3:20; *Rom_4:15; *Rom_7:5; *Rom_7:9-11, *Gal_3:10-12; *Gal_3:21; *Gal_3:22.


2Co_3:6 "servants of a new covenant" See Special Topic: Servant Leadership at 1Co_4:1.
"not of the letter but of the Spirit" There is a series of comparisons.
1. written versus spiritual, 2Co_3:3; 2Co_3:6
2. letter versus Spirit, 2Co_3:6
3. old service versus spiritual service, 2Co_3:7
4. the service connected with condemnation versus the service connected with right-standing, 2Co_3:9
5. what has passed away versus what is permanent, 2Co_3:11
6. the veil remains unlifted versus the veil is removed, 2Co_3:14

Paul is contrasting the old and new covenants, but really heart faith (cf. Rom_2:29; Rom_7:6) versus head faith (i.e., legalism, human performance, self-righteousness).

"the letter kills" This seems to relate to the primary purpose of the Mosaic law. It was given not to give life, but to accentuate and reveal our sinfulness (cf. Rom_7:9-11; Gal_3:10). The Law brings condemnation (cf. Rom_5:13), wrath (cf. Rom_4:15), and death (cf. Rom_7:19; 2Co_3:6). See George E. Ladd's A Theology of the New Testament, pp. 495-510. The place of the law is also clearly seen in Rom_3:20; Rom_5:20; Rom_10:4; Gal_3:24-25. The relationship between the NT believer and the OT Law has been a greatly confused issue.

It seems to me, based on all the passages of the NT, that the Christian is not under OT law (cf. Rom_6:14; Gal_5:18). This is not because the OT law has passed away, but because the NT Christian fulfills the OT law in God's love relationships with us seen in believers' love for others (cf. Rom_13:8-10; Gal_5:14).

The purpose of the law is to bring fallen mankind to Christ, so as to redeem them. However, just because the OT law is not a means of salvation does not mean it is not God's will for humanity in society (cf. Mat_5:17; Rom_8:4). See SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VIEWS OF THE MOSAIC LAW at 1Co_9:9.
Utley.

2 Corinthians 3

2Co 3:1 Am I beginning to recommend myself again? I do not, like some people, do I, need letters of recommendation to you or from you?
2Co 3:2 You are my letter of recommendation, written on my heart, read and understood by everybody,
2Co 3:3 for you are always showing that you are a letter of Christ, produced by my service, written not in ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.
2Co 3:4 Such is the confidence I have through Christ in the presence of God.
2Co 3:5 Not that I am myself qualified to consider anything as coming from me myself. No, my qualification comes from God, for
2Co 3:6 He has qualified even me as a minister of the new covenant, which is not a written but a spiritual covenant. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2Co 3:7 Now if the old religious service which resulted in death, although its law was carved in letters of stone, was introduced with a splendor so great that the Israelites could not keep their eyes fixed on Moses' face because of the splendor that was fading from it,
2Co 3:8 why should not this spiritual service be attended with much greater splendor?
2Co 3:9 For if the service connected with condemnation had such splendor, the service resulting in right standing with God will surely far surpass it in splendor.
2Co 3:10 For on account of its surpassing splendor, what was once so splendid has now no splendor at all.
2Co 3:11 For if what passed away was introduced with splendor, with how much greater splendor must what is permanent be attended?
2Co 3:12 So, as I have such a hope, I speak with the greatest boldness,
2Co 3:13 not as Moses did, who used to wear a veil over his face, to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was passing away.
2Co 3:14 Besides, their minds were made dull; for to this day that same veil remains unlifted, whenever they read the Old Covenant; because it is only through union with Christ that it is removed.
2Co 3:15 Indeed, to this very day, whenever Moses is read, a veil hangs over their hearts,
2Co 3:16 but whenever anybody turns to the Lord, the veil is removed,
2Co 3:17 Now the Lord means the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2Co 3:18 And all of us, with faces uncovered, because we continue to reflect like mirrors the splendor of the Lord, are being transformed into likeness to Him, from one degree of splendor to another, since it comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

 

[uncle silas]

letter killeth. FS121I2, +Gen_2:17, T1054, This often cited but misapplied text is used too frequently to belittle faithful adherence to the teaching of written Scripture (misidentified as the "letter" that killeth) as opposed to following the "spirit" as identified with the nebulous experience of the objector who alleges a disdain for doctrinal teaching.

More correctly, "letter" refers to the Mosaic law written on stone (thus a direct reference to the Ten Commandments), which brings death because it condemns all who cannot keep it (Lev_18:5 note), but the gospel of Christ, here called "spirit," written in the heart, brings life to all who will receive it. 2Co_3:7; 2Co_3:9, Deu_27:26, Joh_6:63, Rom_3:20; *Rom_4:15; *Rom_7:5; *Rom_7:9-11, *Gal_3:10-12; *Gal_3:21; *Gal_3:22.


2Co_3:6 "servants of a new covenant" See Special Topic: Servant Leadership at 1Co_4:1.
"not of the letter but of the Spirit" There is a series of comparisons.
1. written versus spiritual, 2Co_3:3; 2Co_3:6
2. letter versus Spirit, 2Co_3:6
3. old service versus spiritual service, 2Co_3:7
4. the service connected with condemnation versus the service connected with right-standing, 2Co_3:9
5. what has passed away versus what is permanent, 2Co_3:11
6. the veil remains unlifted versus the veil is removed, 2Co_3:14

Paul is contrasting the old and new covenants, but really heart faith (cf. Rom_2:29; Rom_7:6) versus head faith (i.e., legalism, human performance, self-righteousness).

"the letter kills" This seems to relate to the primary purpose of the Mosaic law. It was given not to give life, but to accentuate and reveal our sinfulness (cf. Rom_7:9-11; Gal_3:10). The Law brings condemnation (cf. Rom_5:13), wrath (cf. Rom_4:15), and death (cf. Rom_7:19; 2Co_3:6). See George E. Ladd's A Theology of the New Testament, pp. 495-510. The place of the law is also clearly seen in Rom_3:20; Rom_5:20; Rom_10:4; Gal_3:24-25. The relationship between the NT believer and the OT Law has been a greatly confused issue.

It seems to me, based on all the passages of the NT, that the Christian is not under OT law (cf. Rom_6:14; Gal_5:18). This is not because the OT law has passed away, but because the NT Christian fulfills the OT law in God's love relationships with us seen in believers' love for others (cf. Rom_13:8-10; Gal_5:14).

The purpose of the law is to bring fallen mankind to Christ, so as to redeem them. However, just because the OT law is not a means of salvation does not mean it is not God's will for humanity in society (cf. Mat_5:17; Rom_8:4). See SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VIEWS OF THE MOSAIC LAW at 1Co_9:9.
Utley.

2 Corinthians 3

2Co 3:1 Am I beginning to recommend myself again? I do not, like some people, do I, need letters of recommendation to you or from you?
2Co 3:2 You are my letter of recommendation, written on my heart, read and understood by everybody,
2Co 3:3 for you are always showing that you are a letter of Christ, produced by my service, written not in ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.
2Co 3:4 Such is the confidence I have through Christ in the presence of God.
2Co 3:5 Not that I am myself qualified to consider anything as coming from me myself. No, my qualification comes from God, for
2Co 3:6 He has qualified even me as a minister of the new covenant, which is not a written but a spiritual covenant. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2Co 3:7 Now if the old religious service which resulted in death, although its law was carved in letters of stone, was introduced with a splendor so great that the Israelites could not keep their eyes fixed on Moses' face because of the splendor that was fading from it,
2Co 3:8 why should not this spiritual service be attended with much greater splendor?
2Co 3:9 For if the service connected with condemnation had such splendor, the service resulting in right standing with God will surely far surpass it in splendor.
2Co 3:10 For on account of its surpassing splendor, what was once so splendid has now no splendor at all.
2Co 3:11 For if what passed away was introduced with splendor, with how much greater splendor must what is permanent be attended?
2Co 3:12 So, as I have such a hope, I speak with the greatest boldness,
2Co 3:13 not as Moses did, who used to wear a veil over his face, to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was passing away.
2Co 3:14 Besides, their minds were made dull; for to this day that same veil remains unlifted, whenever they read the Old Covenant; because it is only through union with Christ that it is removed.
2Co 3:15 Indeed, to this very day, whenever Moses is read, a veil hangs over their hearts,
2Co 3:16 but whenever anybody turns to the Lord, the veil is removed,
2Co 3:17 Now the Lord means the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2Co 3:18 And all of us, with faces uncovered, because we continue to reflect like mirrors the splendor of the Lord, are being transformed into likeness to Him, from one degree of splendor to another, since it comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Here’s Paul’s core gospel message in a nutshell:

The power of sin is the law 1Cor15:56 The legally binding law with the power to condemn.

But as Paul states, the law, what is written in it is holy, just and good (Rom7:12)

So what was God to do? He obviously would want to remove the power of sin, but he would not want to remove what is holy just and good.
The law comes in two parts, what is written in the law and the attached penalty for transgression. Nothing wrong at all with the first part, it is holy, just and good, its the second part that's the problem

So God did an incredible thing. He transferred the law/what is written in it, from an external law engraved in stone, and made it an internal law in the hearts and minds of believers(2Cor3:3&Heb10:15-17)) An external law does not mean you in your heart would want to obey it does it. But a law placed in your heart, does mean in your heart you want to follow it. So, what is holy, just and good remains intact, it is now in your heart and mind. It simply means in your mind you know how God wants you to live and in your heart you want to live that way(the flesh is another matter). In your heart you do not want to murder, steal, commit adultery, covet, take the Lords name in vain etc. Hardly legalism! The law/what is written in the law that is now in your heart and mind cannot condemn you, you have no righteousness of obeying it, for Jesus died for your sins/your transgressions of the law: your sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more

Because, and only because you in your heart want to live as God desires you to live, he removed the penalty attached to the law for transgression from your life. He sent Jesus to die for your sins/your transgressions of the law. Therefore, the legally binding law with the power to condemn is removed from you. And therefore, the power of sin is also now removed from your life.

With the power of sin removed from your life, you can now live a far holier life, a life you in your heart want to live for that is where the law now is. And you can do that because you are not under law/righteousness of obeying the law, but under grace/righteousness of faith in Christ. Christ died to pay the penalty of your sin, and he died to break the power of sin. And so Paul states:

Do we then make void the law by faith/righteousness of faith in Christ not obeying the law? God forbid: Yea, we establish the law Rom3:31

And:

For sin shall no longer be your master for you are not under law/ righteousness of obeying the law, but under grace/righteousness of faith in Christ. Rom 6:14

 

[Brakelite]

It seems very old covenant to me using the words ‘’ten commandments’’ it speaks of an external law engraved in stone, not an internal law written in the mind and placed on the heart of believers

When I received Christ as my Saviour, I also accepted Him as my Lord, confessing Him as my Creator/Maker, and thus unconsciously at the time, committing myself to a life of obedience. It wasn't long before God challenged me as to how far I was willing to go. That challenge came to me in the words, "seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you". I wasn't reading those words, they came to mind as a memory from 10 years previously when I was a member of a pentecostal church, Which I had joined after having been saved 15 years previous to that point. But I had backslidden. I was lost. My older children were now in the world doing those things I had turned away from, my marriage was hanging by a loose thread, and in desperation had turned again to Jesus to plead forgiveness and ask for my marriage to be saved, and my children restored. Hence the promise... seek me, hunger and thirst for righteousness, and all these things I will do.
After 15 years a Christian, I wanted a fresh start. To go back to the beginning as if I knew nothing. I humbled myself and asked God to teach me again the rudiments of Christian faith and practise. Why? Because I didn't want to repeat my fall away. Never again. I wanted truth. All of it. No compromise, no error, no fudging. Hence again, Matthew 6:33.
I began reading my bible again. Truly studying it. Doing so with the mindset of ignorance. Primarily at that stage to answer the question, what is God's righteousness? If I had the answer to that, then I would learn better about the kingdom. I could have settled on my own opinion. I had them. I used to preach regularly, do evangelism work, witness to my workmates. I had witnessed much occult activity in my life, had been threatened by demon possessed people, so I had much experience and had much knowledge. So I could have resorted to that knowledge to answer the question, what is God's righteousness? I denied myself, and reckoned my myself dead in Christ. I resorted only to God’s word to answer the question. And there I found the answer. Love. God is love. Not only is He loving, but He is love. Nothing He does, thinks, or says is without love. Hence the gospel. The whole reason for the plan of salvation. Love. Unconditional, self sacrificial love. And that love is also revealed to us in Christ. He was the embodiment of the Love of the Father. And Jesus came to reveal the practical application of that love as expressed by the law, the ten commandments. Which is why He said very early in His ministry, in the sermon on the Mount,
“17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ”
Matthew 5:17-19 KJV

Among many other scriptures that said the came thing, I found

“My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. ”
Psalms 119:172 KJV

This I found was in harmony with other texts in the OT, and also the new. Such as

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. ”
Romans 13:10 KJV

I discovered that this was a theme throughout scripture. Love fulfils the law. Even Jesus agreed.

“37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. ”
Matthew 22:37-40 KJV

Then the holy Spirit led me to a passage of Scripture I had always loved, and had previously asked that He would accomplish in my life. I had previously committed this passage to memory, but had to look it up again.

Isaiah 58:1-12 KJV

I wept. Not only because I had fallen away from a life such as God was working out as expressed above, but also because there again was the promise that He would restore my family and heal my relationships. Then there was something else. The holy Spirit very clearly asked me, why did I not read that chapter to the end?

“13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. ”
Isaiah 58:13-14 KJV

It was then that I understood. I understood the links between righteousness, the law, obedience, Christ's example, the early practise of the NT Church, and Jesus's explanation of the connection between all the above, and love.
“37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. ”
Matthew 22:37-40 KJV

I studied more. The links couldn't be denied. They couldn't be separated. To love God was to keep His commandants. Jesus said that. So did the apostles in their letters. Obedience is the outward expression of love. Jesus said He loved the Father and kept all His Father's commandments. We can't pick and choose what to obey. We can't say, this and that was only for the Jews. That was only in the old Testament. We walk in the Spirit now, not in the flesh. We don't obey the letter of the law, only the spirit of the law.
Is Jesus our LORD, or not? Are we to obey Him in all things? Is the righteousness of Christ that we are to hunger and thirst for limited or reduced or compromised in order to harmonise with modern secular society? Should we use our carnal minds and human logic to say to God in effect, I will obey you in all things... except? I love you Jesus...but to keep Sabbath, that's a step too far? Where in scripture does it say that the law written on the heart only includes 9 of the 10 commandments? Where in scripture does it suggest that the Church has the authority to define what is and what is not Christ's righteousness? The NT Apostolic church did not redefine the 10 commandments. Nor did Jesus.
While Jesus was in the tomb, the women who wanted to dress the corpse refused to do so, “ and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. ” Luke 23:56
When Jesus rose, and met with His disciples both men and women, right there was the perfect opportunity to teach them, "guys, you don't need to honour the Sabbath any more, that's old hat, gone, ignore it. Ladies, you did well yesterday to take the day off, but that's no longer necessary. Honour the resurrection instead, have the 1st day off. That's now my special day, okay"? What then happened? The Early church practised and taught that the Sabbath was no longer a commandment. Christians weren't obliged to obey the 4th commandment, they were to keep Sunday instead. Did they? Some teach they did exactly that. Of course, the Jews of the world accepted this without any argument. No debate, no remonstrance, no criticism from anyone anywhere about this new movement made up mainly of Jews who ignored the Sabbath. Mmm. It's true of course. There wasn't any such debate or argument or criticism. None at all. Not from the church's most vociferous critics and enemies, not from Saul, the Pharisees, the lawyers, no one. Sure, there were lots of discussions and quite heated arguments regarding circumcision and diet and food offered to idols and eating blood and practising the ceremonial laws even to the point that Paul acquiesced at one stage by circumcising Timothy and taking a vow himself under pressure from the Jews, but not once as we read in history or in the Bible that any Jew complained about these new Christians not observing the Sabbath. I wonder why?

 

[Brakelite]

The counterfeit Gospel is out there. What is the other Gospel? It is a Gospel that tries to separate God's Law (10 commandments) from the Cross. It is a Gospel that tries to separate God's 10 commandments from the plan of salvation. God’s Law has always been part of the true Gospel of Christ. The counterfeit Gospel does not have it. God's forever Law (the 10 commandments) is the foundation of both the Old and the New Covenant and the very foundation and basis of the true Gospel of Christ."

Where his eisegesis culminated in "salvation by grace plus law, faith plus works." He "added" obeying the 10 commandments to the gospel, which makes it a requirement for salvation and since no one except for Jesus Christ has flawlessly obeyed the 10 commandments, guess where that leaves him?

Where does he say any of that? The law was never added to the gospel. It was always a part of the gospel. The entire purpose of the gospel is to restore a right relationship between man and His God. That must include obedience to the law. It was disobedience to the law that caused the fall of man in the first place. How can restoration be accomplished without it concluding with obedience?

 

[uncle silas]

When I received Christ as my Saviour, I also accepted Him as my Lord, confessing Him as my Creator/Maker, and thus unconsciously at the time, committing myself to a life of obedience. It wasn't long before God challenged me as to how far I was willing to go. That challenge came to me in the words, "seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you". I wasn't reading those words, they came to mind as a memory from 10 years previously when I was a member of a pentecostal church, Which I had joined after having been saved 15 years previous to that point. But I had backslidden. I was lost. My older children were now in the world doing those things I had turned away from, my marriage was hanging by a loose thread, and in desperation had turned again to Jesus to plead forgiveness and ask for my marriage to be saved, and my children restored. Hence the promise... seek me, hunger and thirst for righteousness, and all these things I will do.
After 15 years a Christian, I wanted a fresh start. To go back to the beginning as if I knew nothing. I humbled myself and asked God to teach me again the rudiments of Christian faith and practise. Why? Because I didn't want to repeat my fall away. Never again. I wanted truth. All of it. No compromise, no error, no fudging. Hence again, Matthew 6:33.
I began reading my bible again. Truly studying it. Doing so with the mindset of ignorance. Primarily at that stage to answer the question, what is God's righteousness? If I had the answer to that, then I would learn better about the kingdom. I could have settled on my own opinion. I had them. I used to preach regularly, do evangelism work, witness to my workmates. I had witnessed much occult activity in my life, had been threatened by demon possessed people, so I had much experience and had much knowledge. So I could have resorted to that knowledge to answer the question, what is God's righteousness? I denied myself, and reckoned my myself dead in Christ. I resorted only to God’s word to answer the question. And there I found the answer. Love. God is love. Not only is He loving, but He is love. Nothing He does, thinks, or says is without love. Hence the gospel. The whole reason for the plan of salvation. Love. Unconditional, self sacrificial love. And that love is also revealed to us in Christ. He was the embodiment of the Love of the Father. And Jesus came to reveal the practical application of that love as expressed by the law, the ten commandments. Which is why He said very early in His ministry, in the sermon on the Mount,
“17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ”
Matthew 5:17-19 KJV

Among many other scriptures that said the came thing, I found

“My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. ”
Psalms 119:172 KJV

This I found was in harmony with other texts in the OT, and also the new. Such as

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. ”
Romans 13:10 KJV

I discovered that this was a theme throughout scripture. Love fulfils the law. Even Jesus agreed.

“37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. ”
Matthew 22:37-40 KJV

Then the holy Spirit led me to a passage of Scripture I had always loved, and had previously asked that He would accomplish in my life. I had previously committed this passage to memory, but had to look it up again.

Isaiah 58:1-12 KJV

I wept. Not only because I had fallen away from a life such as God was working out as expressed above, but also because there again was the promise that He would restore my family and heal my relationships. Then there was something else. The holy Spirit very clearly asked me, why did I not read that chapter to the end?

“13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. ”
Isaiah 58:13-14 KJV

It was then that I understood. I understood the links between righteousness, the law, obedience, Christ's example, the early practise of the NT Church, and Jesus's explanation of the connection between all the above, and love.
“37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. ”
Matthew 22:37-40 KJV

I studied more. The links couldn't be denied. They couldn't be separated. To love God was to keep His commandants. Jesus said that. So did the apostles in their letters. Obedience is the outward expression of love. Jesus said He loved the Father and kept all His Father's commandments. We can't pick and choose what to obey. We can't say, this and that was only for the Jews. That was only in the old Testament. We walk in the Spirit now, not in the flesh. We don't obey the letter of the law, only the spirit of the law.
Is Jesus our LORD, or not? Are we to obey Him in all things? Is the righteousness of Christ that we are to hunger and thirst for limited or reduced or compromised in order to harmonise with modern secular society? Should we use our carnal minds and human logic to say to God in effect, I will obey you in all things... except? I love you Jesus...but to keep Sabbath, that's a step too far? Where in scripture does it say that the law written on the heart only includes 9 of the 10 commandments? Where in scripture does it suggest that the Church has the authority to define what is and what is not Christ's righteousness? The NT Apostolic church did not redefine the 10 commandments. Nor did Jesus.
While Jesus was in the tomb, the women who wanted to dress the corpse refused to do so, “ and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. ” Luke 23:56
When Jesus rose, and met with His disciples both men and women, right there was the perfect opportunity to teach them, "guys, you don't need to honour the Sabbath any more, that's old hat, gone, ignore it. Ladies, you did well yesterday to take the day off, but that's no longer necessary. Honour the resurrection instead, have the 1st day off. That's now my special day, okay"? What then happened? The Early church practised and taught that the Sabbath was no longer a commandment. Christians weren't obliged to obey the 4th commandment, they were to keep Sunday instead. Did they? Some teach they did exactly that. Of course, the Jews of the world accepted this without any argument. No debate, no remonstrance, no criticism from anyone anywhere about this new movement made up mainly of Jews who ignored the Sabbath. Mmm. It's true of course. There wasn't any such debate or argument or criticism. None at all. Not from the church's most vociferous critics and enemies, not from Saul, the Pharisees, the lawyers, no one. Sure, there were lots of discussions and quite heated arguments regarding circumcision and diet and food offered to idols and eating blood and practising the ceremonial laws even to the point that Paul acquiesced at one stage by circumcising Timothy and taking a vow himself under pressure from the Jews, but not once as we read in history or in the Bible that any Jew complained about these new Christians not observing the Sabbath. I wonder why?

Concerning the letter of the fourth commandment:


SDA members often quote the following:



Sin is the transgression of the law 1John3:4

Through the law we become conscious of sin Rom3:20

Any applicable ‘’law’’ is now in the believers hearts and minds. What is in your mind you in your mind must know. The law in your heart MUST bring heartfelt consciousness of sin when it is ‘’wilfully’’ ignored. This is true according to core scriptural truths sda members often quote.

So, if a person has no heartfelt consciousness of sin at failing to observe a set Saturday Sabbath, there are only two possibilities. Either that law as written has not been written in the mind and placed on the hearts of believers, or, if it has, no one could be a Christian unless they had heartfelt conviction of sin at failing to observe a set Saturday Sabbath.

Yet sda members accept people as Christians who have no consciousness of sin at failing to observe a set Saturday sabbath, why?