Quote:
Originally Posted by No Longer A Libertine  I would like to know the criteria to a flawless observance of the sabbath, do you control your daydreams, sneak a peak into the upcoming week's schedule, pick up the funnies in a newspaper, write thank you cards, spank your kids for fighting, practice playing catch with your son, potty train the dog, are all of these things sinful on the sabbath? I think not, and since the law stands as an unsatisfiable task that we must rest in Christ to fulfill I don't see how partaking of recreational activities on our designated day of rest is not pleasing to God since it is a day of rest and we can be thankful for little pleasantries such as sports. I'm not saying make an idol of the Dallas Cowboys, I just enjoy watching them and rooting them on, I go to church on Sundays as well.
Corporate worship and a day of rest are satisfied. |
I always take this to be a problem of approach. If we view the Sabbath as a list of "don'ts", we will have a bad time of it.
But if we focus on the dos, it is much easier. Do worship, do rest, do meditate on God and his creation, do read edifying materials, do enjoy simple pleasures of fellowshipping with God's people, do help those in need, etc.
If you fill your day with the positives, the negatives are forgotten and not nagging on your conscience. The Puritans were all about discipline, but we often forget that they took pleasure not in self-negation, but in positive action and reflection.
It's sort of like aiming a rifle. If you concentrate on what you are not supposed to shoot at, you'll have a hard time hitting the target.