Hi Patty. First of all, you are a very thorough and good writer. I see that you have been blessed in this area!

I wanted to ask you something. You often reference those who say that there are things they must do in order to be saved and that grace is not enough in their eyes. Can you tell me what you are talking about? I haven't seen that yet on this site, and I can't help from thinking you may be referring to those who observe the Sabbath and keep and honor the Father's holy feast days. Is that correct?

I am one who chooses to observe the feast days over the pagan holidays, and I choose to observe the Sabbath on Saturday instead of Sunday, but I am solely saved by the sacrifice of Christ for the remission of my sins and nothing else. I do these things because that that is what the word of God says and not because I must do them in order to be saved. There is big difference there, and I want to make sure the other readers can see this.

The Old Testament is such a large part of the book where the Father took many opportunities to tell us what these days meant to Him. He used terms like "everlasting" and "forever" when describing how they were to be observed. These commandments continued into the New Testament, with Christ himself honoring them. He never told us not to continue these, so it seems best to assume that they are "forever" just as He stated. It is also important too that when a believer comes to this point in their walk where the Father shows them He wishes for them to honor His word in this way, then it is critical to obey, for we know that obedience is better than sacrifice.

I am not wanting to debate with you here and don't want to start a long thread of back and forth (that's the part I don't like and don't do very well). I just felt the need to clarify that many of us simply want to honor what the Father said rather than doing these things in order to be saved. It just doesn't seem fair to over-categorize this thought process and way of doing things as legalism or a saved-by-works philosophy, if that is what you are saying. Maybe I am reading you wrong, but I wanted to make sure.

Thank you Patty, and may you be blessed this day!

Stacy

Dear Stacy,

Sorry it has taken me a while to respond. I have written so very much on this subject that I think I have said all that I can say. I know you are new here,so if you have the time and are interested you could search the archives of this site and see all the articles and studies I have written about this.

Most importantly, I am NOT against anyone who wants to keep Saturday as a Sabbath Day, as that is a personal choice and totally up to each person. It is nice to have that luxury in a world that seems to be busy 24/7! What I object to is anyone telling others that Sabbath keeping is better or is in any way required for a Christian under the New Covenant to do. Or, how commandments written in stone are superior to the commandments written on our hearts.

Jesus kept the Sabbath, although he worked many miracles on that day, because until His death he was still under the Old Covenant law, the law He fulfilled every jot and tittle of. Do we hear of any instance when Jesus kept the Sabbath and went to the Temple during the 40 days after His resurrection?

Please also understand that I am greatly outnumbered in regards to those who write on this site, as almost all of them are Sabbath keepers,so you are in good company. But, I have to do what the Lord shows me to do, and that is to present the other side of that, as I see it as returning to the Old when the New has come. Hopefully we have many readers who come here who can benefit from both sides of issues being presented and discussed so that they can find out for themselves.

It's all about loving the Lord and each other, as that is what matters the most.

YSIC

Patti C.

I agree with you Patty. I've stated several times now too how much the disagreement pains my heart; I pray for us to all be on one accord. I respect your position and wish not to debate. I think we are all following where we feel the Lord is leading us, and that is really all we can do.

Blessings to you sister.

Stacy

Dear Stacy,

Ah yes, peace be with you. Amen to what you said. When it all comes down to it, we are on the same side, and that is what counts. We can respect the differences and rejoice in our common ground in Christ. We are family after all!

Agape sister!

Patti C.

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