Due to some recent rather rude comments in reply to articles on my site, I see the need to implement a comment policy. Here goes:
1) Any comment perceived as dishonoring to the LORD will be deleted.
2) You may state your objection to an article firmly but rudeness will get you deleted.
3) If you quote from the Bible, make sure that the Scripture you quote isn’t being taken out of context.
4) Stay on topic.
5) Attacks of any kind (whether of this blog, me personally or of another writer whose article is posted on my site) will get your comment deleted.
6) An argumentative spirit will get your comment deleted.
7) Any one who is perceived as yelling (ALL CAPS) will not have their comment posted (unless you are saying AMEN).
Nice. How’s loving compliments, encouragement and words of strength taken from God’s Word? You didn’t mention any of these…so just wondering..
Loving compliments and encouragement encouraged. Double that on words of strength from God’s Word. : )
God bless you, my friend; I know you’ve dealt with your share of difficult commentors in your time.
Love to all~ Anna
I am not sure where to leave this question. When one professes the Five Sola’s of the Reformation, how does one address the biblical Sabbath as opposed to the traditional Lord’s Day instituted by the Catholic church. Do you keep the seventh day as Sabbath or do you keep the traditional catholic “Lord’s Day”? The catholic catechism teaches that the seventh day is the Sabbath, but that we now worship together on the Lord’s Day or the eighth day. I have started studying the Five Solas because I can’t see how changing the biblical sabbath falls into the 5 Solas. Like the quote to the right of this screen, about dogs barking when the master is attacked, I see the 4th commandment being attacked by the “catholic” traditions. I am trying to understand those who adhere to the 5 sola’s but still keep the traditional Sunday (unbiblical in my opinion) sabbath. In keeping with the spirit of the reformation, do we as men, the forefathers like Constantine, have the authority to change, what (I read in scripture) as the blessed Sabbath. Have we kept it Holy? or has men changed it to suit the masses, as Constantine did? Just wondering about your thoughts on this one. I have returned to the biblical sabbath.
We believe that the Law of God (the moral law) is still for the church today. It is written upon our hearts when we are saved (Jer 31; Heb 8). We are not related to it by a covenant of works, but in the New Covenant by grace (2 Cor 3). We obey it because we are God’s children, we love Him, we love His Law. Part of that moral Law is the 4th commandment, just like the other 9. These are summed up in the first and second greatest commandments – love God and love our neighbor – which, if we obey, we will fulfill the Law. Anyone who says they are a Christian but hates instead of loves, is necessarily not keeping the Law. So unlike dispensationalist believers, Reformed theology maintains that the moral law of God is binding upon all people in all times, including and especially Christians. We also recognize that the Lord’s Day, the Sabbath, is a creation ordinance, having its origin in God resting from His creative work on the 7th day. Now, as to the observance of the Sabbath on the 7th or the 1st day. We believe that the resurrection of Christ on the 1st day of the week (Sunday) is what caused the early church to change to that day. There are probably other excellent reasons as well, but this is the fundamental one. There are 2 or 3 references in the NT to show us that the church met on the 1st day. So that is why we observe it then. If someone chooses to keep the Sabbath on the 7th day, we aren’t going to get in some big argument with them. As always, the important thing is that we observe the Lord’s day for the right reason and not for some man made traditions like the Jews did.
I personally believe according to Scripture, that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. He mentioned on more than one occasions about being our rest. We read how God has a rest for us to enter into. I do believe in taking a day off, but not as a ritual that I have to keep or else. As a surrendered slave of Christ, I rest. I rest as I work, play or minister. I won’t burn out any time soon. That is why a lot of Christians (esp. leaders) burn out. They think that keeping one day a week means they’ll be good to go and all they do is strive. No Holy Spirit here. Be careful following the ordinances of the Old Law, for in doing so, it makes one accountable to God to keep all the Law. We are not under Law, the lost are. We rest in Christ, give out of our hearts and serve Christ with our lives. If we allow rituals and ordinances to dominate us and throw us into captivity, then we become slaves of a different master.
Ha! I got it up!!
Good comment. Thanks for dropping by. God bless you, dear friend~ Anna
I am trying to find a post you had “A letter to girls I know” on modesty. It was excellent, and as I have four teen/adult daughters it has been very helpful for them to understand a man’s perspective. It isn’t on your site anymore, is there somewhere I can get it? Thanks. JulieBeth
I’ll e-mail it to you.