Scott1
Puritanboard Commissioner
We do well to recognize that God's people are not as conscious of the Christian sabbath, the Lord's Day, in this generation as they were in the last. And, more, to know that many rationalize away their not keeping it, under all sorts of imagined pretexts.
So, while not ordinarily eating out in restaurants, causing others to earn their living for our convenience and hindering them from keeping the command might seem "legalistic" to one who does not want to be so constrained, it is at the heart of obedience to that command.
It is also related to loving one's neighbor.
The Westminster Confession Chapter XXI summarize the doctrine of Scripture to include the ordinary advance preparation and abstaining from work and recreation all the day, by words, thoughts and actions so that the worship of God, individual, family and corporate is prioritized all the day.
Mercy and necessity as to the works themselves are established as part of the command.
The Westminster Larger Catechism at Question 121 also summarizes the doctrine of Scripture, in saying that the keeping of it helps us to “better to keep all the rest of the commandments,” and that “there is less light of nature for it,” and that “Satan with his instruments labours much to blot out the glory, and even the memory of it, to bring in all irreligion and impiety.”
Scripture tells it is a delight.
That is experienced with obedience, and with the practical effect on our behavior that makes the day "holy," that is set apart.
And, like all the commandments, it shows the disobedience that is in man's hearts, and the utter resentment that flows from the claim of a holy God upon the time and actions of His creatures.
Somehow, I believe many believers who have gone before us practiced and affirmed all of this in their day. All, in not being more strict than the Scripture commands.
We would do well to do the same in ours.
So, while not ordinarily eating out in restaurants, causing others to earn their living for our convenience and hindering them from keeping the command might seem "legalistic" to one who does not want to be so constrained, it is at the heart of obedience to that command.
It is also related to loving one's neighbor.
The Westminster Confession Chapter XXI summarize the doctrine of Scripture to include the ordinary advance preparation and abstaining from work and recreation all the day, by words, thoughts and actions so that the worship of God, individual, family and corporate is prioritized all the day.
Mercy and necessity as to the works themselves are established as part of the command.
The Westminster Larger Catechism at Question 121 also summarizes the doctrine of Scripture, in saying that the keeping of it helps us to “better to keep all the rest of the commandments,” and that “there is less light of nature for it,” and that “Satan with his instruments labours much to blot out the glory, and even the memory of it, to bring in all irreligion and impiety.”
Scripture tells it is a delight.
That is experienced with obedience, and with the practical effect on our behavior that makes the day "holy," that is set apart.
And, like all the commandments, it shows the disobedience that is in man's hearts, and the utter resentment that flows from the claim of a holy God upon the time and actions of His creatures.
Somehow, I believe many believers who have gone before us practiced and affirmed all of this in their day. All, in not being more strict than the Scripture commands.
We would do well to do the same in ours.