A Sabbath Test Part II Seven Human Arguments

S everal years ago a longstanding member of a major Protestant denomination began questioning some of the traditions of his church. Most notable among these traditions were the festivals and holy days taught by his pastor and embraced by his denomination his entire life.

As a child growing up, this man believed in these traditions. He loved Christmas with all its decorations and presents. He anticipated Easter with its candy and games. They were such great days. What was not to like?

Later, as a young adult, this devout man tried to see meaning and significance in these seasons, but eventually the things he had long thought to be true began to look less true. Oh, to be sure, Jesus’ birth is described in the Bible, but noticeably absent is any evidence of this event being celebrated by the apostles or the early New Testament church. And although Jesus’ resurrection consumes a significant portion of the gospels, the early church kept the Passover, not Easter. Even a casual study of these holidays revealed that their origin came not from the scriptures but rather from ancient Pagan festivals dedicated to honoring an endless array of deities, but never the God of the Bible.

The young man’s study would then take him to the Sabbath, and once again, another longstanding practice of the church seemed to directly contradict the Bible. As he continued to research this subject, he would discover that Jesus and His apostles as well as the first century Christians kept the seventh day (Saturday), not Sunday as he had been taught.

Overwhelmed by this new understanding, the young man approached his pastor for answers. However, instead of answers, all he seemed to get were excuses. His pastor argued that it doesn’t really matter which day a Christian observes because “God looks on the heart.” He then explained that Sunday worship and holidays such as Good Friday, Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, and Lent actually enhance the meaning of the “faith” and point believers to a deeper understanding of the gospel. Therefore, God couldn’t possibly be opposed to such traditions.

As this meeting progressed, the young man’s pastor vigorously defended each of the festivals kept by the church. At one point, he even argued that the world as we know it today, with all its complexities, made it impossible to keep the Sabbath as described in the Bible. He then argued that Christmas was a wonderful holiday because of its impact on children, while Easter was equally beautiful because it was a means to evangelize to unbelievers about a risen Christ. During this meeting, this pastor actually suggested that the holy days kept by Jesus and His disciples were legalistic and burdensome and those who keep them today are simply being self-righteous.

When the young man indicated that not one argument advanced by his pastor could be supported by scripture, his pastor became furious. He accused the young man of being pharisaical and intolerant. At one point, he even called him a “Judaizer.” He then suggested that the young man look into his heart for answers. But never once did he encourage him to look into God’s word for the truth.

As the young man began to leave his pastor’s office he paused and then asked this man he had trusted for so many years one last question. “Sir,” he said, “Does the Bible anywhere remotely hint that man has the authority to decide for himself how he may worship his Creator?”

There is a profound quality and strength to this question because it cuts to the very core of the faith proclaimed in the pages of your Bible. It is a question that should be on the lips of every true believer. Tragically, however, it is not.

Mankind down through the ages has always attempted to worship God on his own terms. As a result of this approach, man has crafted an endless array of faiths, all claiming to serve some higher power. Even within Christianity there are virtually hundreds of denominations with radically different beliefs. However, each of these denominations asserts that it is a “Bible believing church.” How is this possible?

Although the young man’s pastor never answered his last question, the Bible most certainly does. The scriptures declare with great force that man does NOT have the moral authority to decide for himself how he will worship the Great Creator of Heaven and Earth. God alone has this authority. Furthermore, both the Old and New Testaments warn against thinking otherwise.

When speaking to the children of Israel, God once warned them to not inquire about other religions and to never attempt integrating those religions into the truth He was giving them (Dt. 12:30-31). He then expressed a powerful principle regarding how He is to be worshiped.

Here God is stating that true faith is defined by Him, not by man. God alone has the moral authority to determine how He is to be worshiped. Furthermore, God commanded Israel to follow each of His instructions precisely as they were given. They were not to add to it or take anything away from it in any way, shape or form. Tragically, this is a principle that the ancient nation of Israel repeatedly ignored. The Bible is a chronicle of this defiance. Consider just two examples.

When Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites were demanding that Aaron fashion a golden calf so that they could have an idol to lead them (Ex. 32:1). Once this idol was crafted, Aaron had the audacity to proclaim it as a gift to the very God who had delivered these slaves out of bondage. With the idol in plain view of this newly emancipated people, Aaron declared “a feast to the Eternal.”

Imagine the scope of this act. While God Himself was commanding Moses to refrain from making any graven images (the second commandment), Aaron was fashioning a golden calf for God’s people to worship! When God saw this attempt to build a faith using the traditions of Egypt, He was furious and even threatened to extinguish the Israelites for such defiance (Ex. 32:7-10).

Later, when Israel was a young monarchy under King Saul, God, through his prophet Samuel, gave them very specific instructions concerning how to prosecute a war with the Amalekites (1Sa.15:2-3). However, as the war progressed, Saul made some modifications to these instructions (verse 9).

When the battle was over, Samuel came to the king and asked why he hadn’t followed God’s word concerning the war they had just won (verses 10-14). Saul responded by explaining that he thought his approach would enhance Israel’s worship of the Eternal (verse 15). Imagine a man, even a king, actually thinking he knew better than God about worship. But that is exactly what Saul argued.

These are just two of many Old Testament examples where God’s children tried to “do Him one better” when it came to defining the faith. Regrettably, such examples of defiance are not limited to the ancient nation of Israel. The New Testament also describes several examples of God’s people thinking they could somehow decide for themselves how to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The gospels of Matthew and Mark record an event in which Jesus was chastised by the religious leaders of His day because His disciples “transgressed the tradition of the elders” (Mt. 15:1-2, Mk. 7:1-5). Jesus responded to this accusation by rebuking these “pious” men because they held their traditions as having greater moral weight than God’s law. Notice what He said:

Clearly, the story of mankind is a story of defiance. It is a story of man thinking that he can decide for himself how he will serve the God who made him. The danger of such arrogance is staggering and even threatens those who consider themselves true believers. Notice the sober warning Jesus gave concerning some who thought they could worship God on their terms.

Here, the Messiah declares with great force that simply confessing “Jesus is Lord” is not enough. God requires action. The faith of His people must be a living faith (Jas. 2:20) – one that demonstrates a total commitment to the Great God of Heaven. Such a commitment is reflected in obedience to Him and His law.

With this in mind, the big question facing God’s people today is powerfully linked to the warning Jesus uttered when giving the Sermon on the Mount.

Part II of A Sabbath Test addresses the seven most popular arguments advanced by proponents of dining out on the Sabbath. For some, this activity has even become a tradition – one that defines a significant part of the day God himself calls HOLY.

Furthermore, although the overwhelming evidence in scripture instructs God’s people to refrain from this practice, it is still a common activity in His church today. It is even vigorously defended by many of its leaders. Furthermore, those who defend it often employ the same reasoning Sunday-keepers use for justifying the first day as their day of worship.

As you ponder each argument, ask yourself one very important question: “Does the Bible even remotely suggest that man has the authority to decide for himself how he may worship his Creator?” By understanding this one truth, the words that follow will become abundantly clear.

One of the most popular arguments advanced by those who frequent restaurants on the Sabbath is that such a practice actually enhances the observance of this day. Notice the words of a longstanding evangelist who acknowledged that he and his wife often dine out on the Sabbath, particularly Friday evenings:

This evangelist offers an interesting point. According to his reasoning, the setting at a fine restaurant makes the Sabbath more reflective of God’s Kingdom. But what would this leader say to those who cannot afford such an activity? Is their Sabbath somehow diminished because they must share this meal in their home? What about going to a pizza parlor or a fast food restaurant on the Sabbath? Would this be consistent with a picture of the millennium?

To be sure, going out to dinner at a fine restaurant is an experience that can bring great pleasure. It is also true that the millennium will be a time of unimaginable abundance and prosperity. But is there a connection between going to a restaurant on the Sabbath and the Kingdom it allegedly pictures? The answer to this question is an emphatic NO! In reality, dining out on the Sabbath not only contradicts God’s Kingdom, it actually embraces the kingdoms of men.

The fact that the meal takes place at an expensive restaurant does not make it any more appropriate than if it were a burger and fries at a local “fast food joint.” Such a practice does not keep this day SACRED or HOLY. It does not show deference to the Sabbath or its purpose. Instead, it is using time that belongs to the Creator of Heaven and Earth for one’s personal enjoyment. Regardless of how adamant this church leader is, this practice does not honor God nor does it picture His kingdom. To illustrate this truth, consider the following question:

It is doubtful that any serious Sabbath-keeping Christian would hesitate if asked this question. The answer is: “Of course not!” This being the case, how can an activity that will not be a part of God’s kingdom because it would go contrary to His law, somehow picture that kingdom? The plain truth is: it can’t!

The mistake in the reasoning of this evangelist is the belief that if something is beautiful and gives pleasure, it must be good. In other words, “it can’t be wrong if it feels so right.”

This same argument has been advanced by the Protestant world in defense of an endless array of traditions it holds dear. After all, Christmas is beautiful and teaches children about the birth of Jesus; it must be good. Easter is beautiful and teaches about His resurrection; it, too, must be good.

The belief that the goodness of something can be determined by the feeling it instills is not new. This line of thinking has been at the center of every heresy ever crafted by men seeking to worship God. Furthermore, it is never the standard God applies when determining righteousness.

The fact of the matter is that the way something looks and feels does not determine its moral standing with the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. God alone is the True Judge of what is good and what is evil. He is the great Moral Authority. His judgments are reflected in His great moral code: the Ten Commandments. If man truly desires to know what pleases his Creator, he should ask Him. He should seek God’s wisdom in His word. When it comes to buying and selling on His Sabbath, God’s word is very clear. Notice what He conveys through His servant Nehemiah.

Nehemiah’s words are not ambiguous. In fact, they couldn’t be more clear: God’s people are not to purchase goods and services on His Sabbath or holy days.

Later, Nehemiah would become even more forceful when addressing this issue. At that time, he actually locked the gates of Jerusalem and prohibited vendors from entering the city on the Sabbath day to sell their goods. He even threatened to use force to prevent these “entrepreneurs” from engaging in business on the Sabbath.

With this in mind, it is hard to imagine that this great servant of God would see the practice of going to a restaurant on the Sabbath as a picture of God’s millennial Kingdom. On the contrary, Nehemiah saw it as a threat to God’s people. In a very real sense, this champion of faith saw buying and selling on the Sabbath as a picture of something very ominous – CAPTIVITY! Notice his words:

Here, Nehemiah is declaring that the people of Judah were engaging in the very practice that led to their captivity in the first place. They were profaning God’s Sabbath. They desecrated this holy time by engaging in business. They were purchasing food on this sacred day.

Some have argued that going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is acceptable to God because of what is done there. After all, God’s people go there to talk about the Bible and the Kingdom. How could that not please Him?

Once again, this argument employs the same reasoning used by the Protestant world when they justify keeping Sunday as their Sabbath. After all, every Sunday they read the Bible, sing praises to God, and pray for His kingdom to return. That must be pleasing to Him, too, right? What Sabbath-keeping Christian really believes this argument?

Throughout human history, man has always attempted to justify his behavior by cloaking it in acts of goodness. However, when you get right down to it, talking about God while dining out on the Sabbath possesses about the same moral weight as talking about God while eating a ham sandwich. The problem is not with the conversation. It’s with the conduct.

One of the great ironies of going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is that this practice actually mirrors one of the most popular traditions of this world. In the United States, more people frequent restaurants between Friday evening and Saturday evening than any other 24-hour period. There is even a major restaurant chain whose name captures the sentiments of this tradition. That sentiment is expressed in the saying “Thank God it’s Friday.”

Regardless of how hard one may defend the tradition of dining out on the Sabbath, it simply doesn’t reconcile with the scriptures. The plain truth is clear and direct. Dining out on the Sabbath is not Godly; it is WORLDLY! It is a tradition of men – one that is embraced by a world that couldn’t care less about the Great God of Heaven and His soon coming Kingdom. It is hard to imagine a practice that stands in greater defiance to the Creator and His law.

Tragically, thousands of God’s people see this practice as harmless. But make no mistake about it: God did not invent going to restaurants on His Sabbath. It is a tradition of a world that doesn’t know Him. God warns His people to beware of being ensnared by the practices of a society that is defiant to Him. Here is what He says.

Those who think that going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is an appropriate activity because it creates a millennial setting should think again. When that millennial Kingdom returns, God’s Sabbath and holy days will be honored in accordance with His instructions, not man’s traditions.

When giving a sermon regarding the proper observance of the Sabbath, a prominent minister in the Church of God addressed the issue of going to restaurants on this day. It was clear from his message that he saw nothing wrong with this practice. At one point, this pastor actually suggested that the complex nature of our world today makes it impossible to keep the Sabbath as prescribed in the scriptures. He specifically noted God’s instructions regarding buying and selling.

This man did not dispute the fact that in the Old Testament, buying and selling on the Sabbath went contrary to the scriptures. However, based on the nature of our contemporary world, not buying and selling would be so impractical as to actually be a stumbling block to God’s people.

According to this pastor, God’s people today often buy and sell on the Sabbath without even realizing it. He cited as proof the fact that most homes in the modern world are equipped with utilities such as gas, electricity, and water. This minister contended that as a result of using these services on the Sabbath, God’s people not only pay for them, but also make it necessary for utility companies to support their service with manpower on this day – a practice which technically violates God’s instruction prohibiting others such as “the stranger within thy gates” (Ex. 20:10) from working on behalf of His people on the Sabbath.

This highly respected minister has advanced a very unusual stream of logic in his argument. His reasoning is based on the premise that because you do not have authority over that which is beyond your control, you do not have to exercise such authority over that which is within your control. Therefore, buying and selling on the Sabbath is permissible in today’s world. It is interesting that this identical argument has been used prolifically by the Protestant world as justification for not keeping the Sabbath at all.

It is difficult to regard this argument as anything other than a brazen attempt to rationalize a practice that is nowhere supported in scripture. In essence, it is using technology and progress to invalidate God’s word. Following this argument to its logical conclusion, this minister is suggesting that if the world during the days of Nehemiah was as technologically advanced as it is today, Nehemiah would never have prohibited vendors from entering into Jerusalem and selling their goods on the Sabbath. Does anyone really believe this would be the case?

To illustrate how foolish such an argument is, consider how it could be used with respect to eating unclean foods. The argument would go something like this: Because all foods at restaurants are prepared on common working surfaces, clean foods come in contact with unclean foods. Therefore microscopic particles of unclean meats will attach themselves to the steak you just enjoyed at that five star restaurant. This being the case, you might as well order that lobster because you probably had some of it with the meal you just finished.

Would such an argument ever persuade you to order a ham sandwich the next time you go to a restaurant? Of course not! Because it is obvious that God expects His people to exercise authority over things they can control, not things they can’t. The choice of what you eat as well as when you eat it falls within that control. If you wouldn’t eat a ham sandwich because God’s law forbids it, why would you buy and sell on His Sabbath – which is forbidden by the same God?

The plain truth regarding eating out at restaurants on the Sabbath is revealed not only in the words of Nehemiah, but also in the example of God’s people throughout the Bible. There is not a hint that any of the champions of the faith engaged in such a practice.

It is true that Jesus’ apostles picked corn on the Sabbath (Mt.12:1-8), but noticeably absent from this act was any attempt by Jesus or the apostles to buy it. Furthermore, at no time did they try to hire others to pick it for them and prepare it. What the disciples were doing was tantamount to plucking an apple from a tree and enjoying a piece of fruit during a Sabbath walk. This act may have offended the Pharisees but it did not offend the scriptures. To compare this to going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is like comparing it to harvesting crops on the Sabbath. It simply is not what happened.

To the minister who advanced the argument of “a complex world,” consider the following questions concerning the millennial Kingdom God’s Sabbath pictures:

Regardless of how technologically advanced God’s kingdom will be, one thing is for certain: His great moral code, the Ten Commandments, will be in effect, and His people will honor every one of them as He directs – including the fourth.

The most common assertion advanced by proponents of going to restaurants on the Sabbath is that those who refuse to do so are simply being self-righteous. This argument is unique in that it is not an affirmative defense of this practice, but rather an indictment of those who believe such a practice is wrong. In other words, this accusation is not proof that going to restaurants on the Sabbath is acceptable to God. It is rather a condemnation of those who would question such an activity.

It is interesting that this same assertion has been used prolifically by the Protestant world when condemning God’s people for keeping the Sabbath and holy days at all. It is also ironic that many of the leaders who systematically corrupted the doctrines of God’s church over the past fifteen plus years now regard those who held fast to the truth as “self-righteous Pharisee-types.”

Today the term “pharisee” is one of the most pejorative in a “believer’s” lexicon. It implies that the recipient of this label is filled with arrogance and conceit and void of any compassion. It suggests that such people are legalistic – committed to works but not love. Pharisees are cold and insensitive. They are judgmental and cruel. They are quick to accuse and slow to forgive. And anyone who would question a practice as “innocent” as sharing a meal with brethren at a restaurant on the Sabbath must be a Pharisee. But does this term rightly describe those who refrain from going to restaurants on the Sabbath?

Those in God’s church who employ this label would be well advised to carefully consider what this accusation means and how God Himself understands this term. Just what is a Pharisee in God’s eyes? Furthermore, is it possible that those advancing this accusation are actually guilty of the very thing of which they accuse others?

To those who believe that opponents of going to restaurants on the Sabbath are being pharisaical, consider the following questions: Is eating unleavened bread during the spring holy days pharisaical? What about fasting on the Day of Atonement? Is that pharisaical? What about washing one another’s feet on the Passover? Or going to a far away place for eight days each fall? Are these practices pharisaical? What about abstaining from unclean meats? Or tithing? What about refusing to keep Christmas or Easter, even at the risk of great personal and professional harm? Is it pharisaical to conduct your life in such a way?

When it comes to the Sabbath, what about abstaining from work? Is that pharisaical? What about refusing to do your own pleasure on the Sabbath, or speaking your own words? Is that pharisaical?

If you were to ask these questions to the vast majority of “professing Christians,” they would probably answer “YES!” But what about God’s people? How would they regard the life God has called them to live? Is it pharisaical? More importantly, how does the God of your Bible view self-righteousness when it comes to worshiping Him?

To be sure, the attitude of self-righteousness is abhorrent to God and is a mortal enemy of His Kingdom. In a very real sense it is a form of idolatry, a violation of God’s law. In the first century, Pharisees were quick to quote the scriptures, but their lives were filled with a great sense of self-importance.

However, there was something very unique about these religious leaders that set them apart from the great heroes of the faith. These pious men relied on the traditions of the elders to define their faith. They saw these traditions as being even more influential in their lives than God’s law. Jesus considered this hypocrisy so vile that during the last days of His life, He excoriated the Pharisees because they reeked with such arrogance (Mt. 23). With this in mind, some very important questions need to be addressed with respect to going to restaurants. Consider the following:

One of the greatest indictments ever leveled by Jesus Christ against the religious leaders of His day was that these learned men embraced traditions they thought possessed greater moral weight than God’s law. Imagine having such arrogance! These men actually thought they knew better than God Himself when it came to how the GREAT CREATOR should be worshiped. Jesus saw this attitude as repugnant and He did not mince words when condemning it. He began by blasting their hypocrisy.

Jesus then exposed their faith as worthless. It was void of any substance because it was driven by the contrivances of man. It was not God’s law they loved. It was their traditions.

At this point Jesus thundered a crushing indictment against these spiritual leaders for their attempt at refashioning God’s law. He put their behavior in God’s perspective and the picture was not pleasant.

It is important to understand that Jesus was NOT excoriating the Pharisees for being too careful in keeping God’s law. His condemnation was that they rejected that law. Here are His exact words.

God’s people today should be in fear of those words. They are dreadful indeed and reflect the judgement of God Himself. If man embraces traditions instead of honoring God’s law, they make the law of none effect. When it comes to dining out on the Sabbath versus refraining from such a practice, which is driven by tradition?

The Bible makes it absolutely clear that the traditions of men have no place in the worship of God. Furthermore, those who believe they can decide for themselves what is acceptable to the Creator of Heaven and Earth should consider what the great prophet Jeremiah said about man’s capacity to make such decisions.

Despite what mankind believes, humanity has never had the capacity to decide for himself how to worship the God of the Bible. Every attempt at this endeavor has only met with failure.

The scriptures reveal that God is the Great Moral Authority of the Universe. It is His wisdom that must be sought and honored. During His earthly life, Jesus Christ understood this timeless principle – and this understanding guided every decision He ever made. The Bible states without ambiguity that even Jesus did not rely on His own wisdom. Notice His own words:

If Jesus wouldn’t rely on His own wisdom, why would anyone who calls himself a true believer try to do differently? The scriptures make it abundantly clear that God is not impressed with how man navigates his moral path (see: Pro. 14:12; Jer. 17:9).

God’s word also reveals that man’s wisdom is driven by a love of self, not a love of righteousness. However, God loves righteousness – and His law, the Ten Commandments, reflect that love. The Bible declares that God’s heart is inclined toward those who have a deep respect for His word. Notice what God reveals through the prophet Isaiah.

There is a profound truth in this verse. Here, God is revealing that His law is to be treated with great deference and respect. In a very real sense, it is to be feared. Tragically, the Pharisees of Jesus’ day failed to reflect a proper reverence for God’s word. They thought they “could do Him one better” when it came to the scriptures. They were wrong. Tragically, their mistake has been repeated for two thousand years.

To those who claim that a person who refrains from going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is just being pharisaical, ask yourself the following.

Nehemiah certainly did. His bold words regarding buying and selling on the Sabbath are a testimony to how committed he was to God’s law (Ne.13:15-21). Now consider this: when it comes to God’s church today, who is most like that great servant? Those who eat out on the Sabbath, or those who don’t?

It is not the self-righteous that refrain from going to restaurants on the Sabbath. It is the self-righteous who believe you can do otherwise. They are the ones who “spin” God’s word to fit their traditions. They see God as tolerant of anything they do. To these “New Covenant Pharisees,” God has this warning:

The argument that God will somehow give His people a “free pass” to dine out on the day He made holy reflects the height of arrogance. In a very real sense, it is pharisaical. It makes the law of God of none effect. It reflects a total disregard for God’s word.

However, God’s instructions are firm. His law is absolute. God’s word does not require man’s “spin,” it requires man’s obedience. Buying and selling on the Sabbath is a test of that obedience. The self-righteous will ignore that test. Those who tremble at His word will heed it.

One of the most popular arguments advanced by proponents of dining out on the Sabbath is that those who serve them would be working anyway. This being the case, there is no apparent violation of the fourth commandment which prohibits the labor of a “manservant” or “maidservant” under the Sabbath-keeper’s authority (Ex. 20:10).

Even if you accept this argument as valid, it misses a critical point. The issue of whether or not one goes to a restaurant on the Sabbath is not about those who work at the restaurant on this day; it is about the Sabbath-keeper, and how he or she honors the fourth commandment. In other words, even though some may choose to work, what about those who choose to obey?

Today we live in a world where the overwhelming majority of people on earth break God’s law without a second thought. This is because that law is not real to them nor is the Great God who fashioned it. There are few places where this attitude of indifference is more apparent than mankind’s approach to God’s Sabbath and holy days. For the most part

On a typical Friday evening or Saturday afternoon, mankind engages in a variety of enterprises. Many enjoy recreational activities and hobbies. Some spend time with family and friends. Others catch up on an endless array of household chores. But almost no one thinks of this time as the Sabbath of the Eternal. For most, this period belongs to them. Friday evening is their time. Saturday is their day.

Among the endless array of activities engaged in on the Sabbath is WORK – the pursuit of a “living.” For many businesses, the Sabbath is the most profitable day of the week. It is a time when consumers have money to spend and businesses have products for them to spend it on. Regrettably, many of God’s people can be counted among those consumers.

The argument of those who believe it is okay to go out to a restaurant on the Sabbath because it isn’t work suggests that God is only concerned with the person selling the goods and services, not those purchasing them. Does this really make sense? Furthermore, is there an example in the scriptures that even remotely suggests such a practice is acceptable to God? Once again, the answer is NO!

When Nehemiah contended with the elders of Judah over engaging in commerce, as either the provider of goods or the consumer of them, he did not qualify his words. His warning was clear and direct and to suggest otherwise is a distortion of scripture. Nehemiah was so passionate regarding his opposition to engaging in commerce on the Sabbath that he actually threatened to use physical force against those who defied his word (Neh.13:15-21).

The argument that because a restaurant would be open anyway and therefore it is permissible in God’s sight to avail oneself of their services is simply not true. That argument is driven by a desire to justify a behavior that is nowhere found in the scriptures. Not only does the Bible instruct the restaurant personnel to cease from their labor, but it also commands the Sabbath-keeper to refrain from supporting that labor.

Additionally, to suggest that the Sabbath-keeper bears no responsibility for restaurant personnel working on this day is not entirely true. In a 2003 interview with a representative of one of the leading family restaurant chains in the United States, it was revealed that on a typical Sabbath, one of their stores serves approximately 600 customers. When asked what this restaurant would do if only 300 customers patronized their store, a representative stated, “We would reduce our manpower because the demand would not be as great.” This representative was then asked what would happen if no one visited the restaurant on the Sabbath. He responded, “The answer to this question is obvious. We would close on that day.”

With this in mind, if as few as six Sabbath-keepers frequent that restaurant on the Sabbath, their level of responsibility for that restaurant being open is one percent. In other words, those who profess to keep the Sabbath are one percent responsible for that restaurant’s decision to break this commandment. This is a fact that the representative acknowledged.

This is not to suggest that those who work at the restaurant would become Sabbath-keepers if their restaurant was closed on Saturdays. What it is saying is that the personnel in this restaurant who break the Sabbath are being compelled to do so for many reasons. When it comes to their specific labor at a restaurant, one percent of those reasons would be directly linked to God’s own people.

It is true that the decision to work on the Sabbath rests solely in the hands of restaurant personnel. But it is equally true that the decision to support that labor rests solely in the hands of those who purchase their goods and services. With this in mind, ask yourself one question: would Jesus ever compel them to work that one percent? The bottom line regarding this argument is really quite simple: You may not be able to prevent restaurant personnel from working on the Sabbath. But you most certainly can prevent them from working for you on that day!

One of the newer arguments advanced by people who frequent restaurants on the Sabbath is that by engaging in this practice, God’s people can actually preach the gospel. The thinking here is that restaurant personnel will see how polite and respectful God’s people are. Additionally, if there are children with them, they will also see how well behaved they are. Therefore, going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is an opportunity to “let your light shine” and to show the world there is a better way.

If this argument is true, why stop at restaurants? What about an amusement park? Certainly they would appreciate being witnessed to by God’s people on His Sabbath, wouldn’t they? How about the people who work at a bowling alley? Or a movie? What about a sporting event? Certainly a Saturday afternoon baseball game would be a great place to show fans and vendors alike how a child of God conducts himself.

Perhaps a golf course would work. This would be an ideal place to let your light shine. When one of the players in your foursome misses a three foot putt and begins to take God’s name in vain, you could remind him of the third commandment. However, don’t forget to duck if you do. Tragically, there are some who have actually suggested that each of these activities can be appropriate on the Sabbath for this very reason – it preaches the gospel.

The idea that a Sabbath meal at a restaurant is a godly activity because it affords His people an opportunity to be a witness to the world the would be silly if it wasn’t so serious. In reality, this argument actually mocks God’s word as well as the very Kingdom His Sabbath pictures.

To be sure, the scriptures exhort God’s people to let their light shine (Mt. 5:16). Additionally, it is also true that one of the great commissions to the church is to preach the gospel of the Kingdom as a witness (Mt. 24:14). But what does going to a restaurant on the Sabbath say about these two very important scriptural directives? In reality, this activity says plenty, but none of it is good.

Those who go to restaurants on the Sabbath don’t honor God’s word – they actually defy it. Consider what this behavior is saying – it says: “Don’t take the Bible or God too seriously.” It says, “our children obey us, but we don’t obey our Father in Heaven when it comes to His instruction concerning the Sabbath.” It says, “We believe in God’s millennial Kingdom; we just don’t believe in picturing that Kingdom at this moment.”

In essence, this single act shouts before the God of Heaven the same declaration that every false religion has cried out down through the ages:

To those who believe you can pick and choose what you will and will not do on the Sabbath, consider how many times man has attempted to worship the Creator on his own terms and it met with God’s approval. The answer is zero. Man has spent his entire history in such an endeavor and God has always rejected it. Consider just a few examples. Adam and Eve attempted to decide for themselves how they would worship God. How successful were they? What about those at the tower of Babel? How does history remember them? Even the great King Solomon consented to idolatry when he allowed his pagan wives to construct shrines to their gods in Israel. The scriptures indicate that this act greatly displeased the Eternal (2Ki.1:4-9).

In the New Testament church, many tried to craft a faith on their own and were severely indicted for it. The apostle Peter spoke of teachers who brought “damnable heresies” into the church (1Pet. 2:21). Additionally, the apostle John warned God’s people about a proliferation of false prophets, each bringing their own ideas on how to worship the King of the Universe (1Jn. 4:1). Such an approach didn’t work for them and it won’t work for anyone doing the same today. The point here is very simple: God is worshiped on His terms, PERIOD.

Despite this truth, thousands of God’s people are convinced that by letting their light shine at a restaurant on the Sabbath they can somehow turn the profane into that which is holy. This mistake has been made by countless thousands who have sought to justify their behavior and argue that their disobedience somehow has God’s blessing. It has never worked in the past, and there is no evidence that this trend is changing.

There are numerous stories illustrating how God’s people can fool themselves into believing that their behavior somehow has the blessing of the very King of the universe, despite the fact that it appears to go contrary to the scriptures. The following story reflects how man can spin a behavior into something that he is convinced actually looks godly.

Several years ago, a baptized member of God’s church left the faith and pursued a career as a high school teacher. In addition to teaching, this young man became a very successful basketball coach. His teams won championships and many of his players went on to play at some of the leading universities in the country.

When asked why he would coach on the Sabbath, this “believer” explained that what he was doing was in a sense “preaching the gospel” because he was teaching his players about fair play and sportsmanship. He argued that he was building character in young men and positively molding their lives. He then asked, “How could God be unhappy with that?”

This story is a typical example of how man can justify anything he does. The coach knew about God&rsqu

Who Decides How God is Worshiped?

Who Decides
How God is Worshiped?