Gods Sabbath

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E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

with God, yet were very particular in maintaining the outward sign, erroneously supposing that this was all they needed to en sure their sonship with God. Paul advised them that if they had not made the covenant with the Lord on His terms, then their physical circumcision counted for nought. Until they could be brought to see this, nothing could be done to save them from de struction and restore them to unity with the Father. “Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been cir cumcised. If those who are not circumcised keep the law’s re quirements, will they not be regarded as though they were cir cumcised? The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely out ward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.” Romans 2:25–29. The same principle holds true in respect to baptism, the Lord’s supper, Sabbath-keeping, and any other service that Christians are directed to perform. The outward observance is a meaningless form and may even be dangerous, unless it is an expression of the experience it represents. For this reason Paul was led to say of the Lord’s supper that “anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthi ans 11:29, 30. Important as it is that no one overlooks this principle, it is a sad fact that millions of well-meaning Christians down through history have erred, by making the ceremony the end in itself. By so doing, they have lost the tremendous blessing that God designed they should receive. It is now our responsi bility to break this persistent pattern and giving up our own works, become spiritually circumcised. By doing this we are preparing to be among that company who, having been cleansed of all false doctrine, “follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” Revelation 14:4.