The Third Commandment:
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.
Dear Christians,
This month’s article has caused me much stress and thought. The 3rd commandment is a commandment God gives to us concerning hearing His Word and studying the Bible, specifically in the context of Church. Directly applied to us in our lives right here in Aurora county, this commandment addresses our attendance in church services at Trinity or St. Paul. God gives us this command to protect our faith and keep us in the true faith of Christ’s salvation and forgiveness of sin.
How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:14 & 17)
I have heard self-confessed Christians from all across our country say that even though they rarely ever attend church they are still Christians because they believe in God and do have faith in Jesus. Most of these people probably do have faith. They probably will confess Jesus as God and as their Lord and Savior, but is that all there is to being a Christian? Is their faith a genuine and saving faith?
Jesus says,
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
Jesus is the only way into heaven. The only hope and salvation sinners have is in the truth of Jesus as revealed to us through the Bible. We would never question a person’s faith but only try to determine if their faith is in the true Jesus, the Word of God, or merely a Jesus of their own making. This is not a pleasant thing to do and it often upsets many people, but the truth needs to be shared for eternal consequences are at stake.
"Many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." (Matthew 7:22-23)
Because this issue is so personal and upsetting to many, in an attempt to try and minimize the offense I will refrain from offering my own thoughts or opinions.
As we address the 3rd Commandment and whether or not a person can be a Christian without attending church regularly, I will only share Bible verses and the teachings of our church that have been confessed since the 16th century.
First it will be helpful to note that God tells us these divisions and disagreements will take place. God’s truth, according to the Bible, has throughout history upset and angered sinners who don’t want to accept this truth.
"The Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared." (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
God also says,
"there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized." (1 Corinthians 11:19) God then tells us how to recognize the genuine among us. He says, "the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:22-24)
This is important to point out because how a person reacts to God’s truth is very revealing of their faith. If they have true faith in Jesus and the truth of God’s Word, as Christians they will tend to respond with genuine fruits from the Spirit.
Church
Is Church attendance necessary to be a Christian?
God’s Word proclaims the truth.
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. Also, stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Also,
"man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) And, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)
Lastly Jesus says,
"if anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, my words abide in you." (John 15:6-7)
These are direct quotes, they are statements of truth right out of the Bible. Some of these quotes are even from Jesus Himself. But, many are still tempted to think that even though they don’t believe these truths from God’s Word they are still Christians and do still believe in Jesus.
Jesus responds saying,
"if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." (John 8:31&47)
Our church has taught, since the 16th century, that we sin against the Third Commandment when we despise preaching and the Word of God. We despise preaching and the Word of God when we do not attend public worship; when we do not use the Word of God and the Sacraments; and when we use the Word of God and the Sacraments negligently or carelessly. We teach in the 3rd Commandment that God requires us to hold preaching and the Word of God sacred. We should gladly hear it, learn it, and meditate on it. (Luther's Small Catechism)
This is of great importance because so much depends upon God’s Word. Without it, no holy day can be sanctified. Therefore, we must know that God insists upon a strict observance of this commandment and will punish all who despise His Word and are not willing to hear and learn it, especially at the time appointed for the purpose. We also sin when we listen to God’s Word like it was any other trifle and only come to preaching because of family tradition. They go away again, and at the end of the year know as little of God’s Word as at the beginning. Up to this point the opinion prevailed that you had properly hallowed Sunday when you had heard a sermon or the Gospel read. But no one cared for God’s Word, and no one taught it. Now that we have God’s Word, we fail to correct the abuse. We allow ourselves to be preached to and admonished, but we do not listen seriously and carefully. Know, therefore, that you must be concerned not only about hearing, but also about learning and retaining God’s Word in memory. Do not think that this is optional for you or of no great importance. Think that it is God’s commandment, who will require an account from you [Romans 14:12] about how you have heard, learned, and honored His Word. (Large Catechism)
Luther declares in the Small Catechism that those who are unwilling to learn the true faith should be told they deny Christ and are not Christians. They should not be admitted to the Sacrament, accepted as sponsors at Baptism, or practice any part of Christian freedom. They should simply be turned back to the pope and his officials, indeed, to the devil himself [1 Corinthians 5:5]. Eternities are at stake here, people must hear that only those faithful to the truth of God in Jesus have the promise that He
"will never blot their names out of the book of life. He will confess their names before His Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Rev 3:5-6)
Pastor Lessman
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