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Remember the Sabbath Day
J Hansen - December 2005
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In explaining the third commandment in Luther's Large Catechism, Luther explains, "Especially, we keep holy days so that people may have time and opportunity, which otherwise would not be available, to participate in public worship; that is, that they may assemble to hear and discuss God's Word and then praise God with song and prayer. This, then, is the plain meaning of the commandment: Since we observe holidays anyhow, we should devote their observance to learning God's Word. At whatever time God's Word is taught, preached, heard, read, or pondered; there the person, the day, and the work are sanctified by it - not on account of the external work, but on account of the Word which makes us all saints. Accordingly, I constantly repeat that all our life and work must be guided by God's Word if they are to be God-pleasing or holy. Where that happens, the commandment is in force and is fulfilled."God has blessed us with 168 hours per week. As stewards of this gracious gift of time, how do we spend it? If God further blesses us with a work schedule which allows it, one hour for Sunday morning worship, one hour for Sunday morning Bible class, and one hour for Wednesday evening Advent worship doesn't really seem like much - 3 hours out of 168. However, the Holy Spirit works through the Word to strengthen and grow our faith in which we have salvation through Christ Jesus by God's grace. Even a mere 3 hours per week in the Word has the potential to substantially strengthen and sanctify us by the Holy Spirit through the Word. Imagine how much this strengthening would be magnified if the Holy Spirit moved us to have family or small group Bible studies during the week, and further moved us to read God's Word daily during our free time! God, our Creator who wants us to have eternal life through Christ, speaks to us through the Bible; so it's excellent stewardship of the time He's freely given us to listen to Him as often as possible through reading, hearing, and studying God's Word. God's Word alone guides us through this life to the next, instilling faith in us by His grace, which calls us to gladly hear and learn the Word. "The Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
- 2 Timothy 3:15-17 Ephesians 6:13,17b - "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."
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