Most Christians Don’t Have a Sabbath Anymore!

There was a time in my lifetime that Christians observed Sabbath Day, a day of rest and worship – no work. It felt a little legalistic and boring, but it was a day different from all others and we knew why – we were Christians!

Oh, we still have Sundays, and most Christians still worship on it, but very few Christians still have a day of rest – mental, spiritual, physical and emotional rest. (More about that later)

It’s interesting to note that when God established the Sabbath, he did not require his people to do anything on it except not work. No where in scripture does it say “thou shalt go to church or synagogue on the Sabbath.” As an elder, deeply committed to the church, I believe worship on Sunday with others who love God as I do, is one of the joys of being a believer, but it’s not a “thus sayth the Lord” issue. God never even commanded Israel to pray or meditate on him on the Sabbath. Nothing. Rest only.

Why a day of rest?
God doesn’t entirely explain why he established a day of rest. Of course God rested on the seventh day of creation, but he doesn’t tell us why he wants us to rest. So, here’s what most theologians believe.