But who makes that call? What point of law can truly be considered a salvational issue? I have occasionally made the statement, with which i might find some level of disagreement, that: No point of law is a salvational issue, for salvation only comes from the grace offered by the Father through the shed blood of Christ. I am so often misunderstood to mean the observation of God's laws are optional -- this is not my belief. Many Sabbatarians jump to such a false conclusion, not unlike mainstream Christians who often jump to the conclusion one is a legalist who strives to obey God's laws. God's laws are of love and have a particular purpose, which doesn't include giving eternal life, or salvation. Let's set aside purpose of God's laws for the moment and first have a look at some scriptures regarding the source of salvation: Ephesians 2:4-10:
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
This familiar scripture seems to spell out very clearly that we are saved by the miraculous gift of grace through faith, while being the Father's workmanship created in Christ for good works. We are to walk in righteousness, but righteousness is not the source of salvation. We find this recurring teaching throughout the Bible. 1Thessalonians 5:8-10:
8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Again, we obtain salvation through our Lord Christ YHWH, our Savior. I believe it noteworthy for ourselves to remember, concepts like being the Father's "workmanship" and having the "hope of salvation" strongly suggest that we are a work in progress. Notice in Titus 3:1-11: 1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
"To be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men" -- something we all need to think about with regard to our actions on a daily basis. Not only does this passage remind us of our own transgressions, and that it is the Father's mercy which saves us through Christ our Savior, justified by His grace, but it also gives us the mandate to avoid "foolish disputes" over matters of law, which is said to be "unprofitable" and "useless". Sure, we are to test the spirits by the Word of God, reject false doctrine and hold onto sound doctrine. However, we are repetitively told to do so in the spirit of love, which is the Holy Spirit. 1Corinthians 13 is perhaps one of the best scriptural reminders for us regarding the nature of love. As we read these, we should consider the way in which we act toward others, be they Christians or non-Christians. 1Corinthians 13:1-13:
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Much of Paul's letters to the newly formed Gentile churches addresses various problems which arose within. We typically find that these problems of their day are identical to the problems of ours because the nature of man has not changed, for the carnal mind is at enmity with God. In our human state, we are only learning about love and how to love, for it is simply not our carnal nature. It is paramount unto the edification of Christ that we continually remind ourselves about the nature of love, which is the nature of God. It is also important for us to remember that we all see and understand merely glimpses of God's truths -- that none of us have 'the entire truth'. this will help serve to keep us humble as we strive to continue learning and growing with one another, as iron sharpening iron. When we know salvation is through Christ and not of works, and we know we are to be humble before all men and witness in the spirit of love, then why do we continue to see heated debates and congregational splits over points of law? What is so very important to warrant such division? Do we really think that we are serving the will of God acting in such a way? Sure, we are to have no part with sin, and there are certainly lines which become crossed warranting a necessary split in a congregation. However, at what point do these splits become counterproductive toward the goal of readying God's spiritual Church for the return of Christ? Could it be that we've forgotten the purpose of the law? Galatians 3:19-24
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith."
As I already stated, I do not believe God's laws are optional. I believe the more we obey God, the closer we walk with Christ in this physical life, and therefore, the more empowered we become with the Holy Spirit enabling us to overcome the struggles of the world and the temptations of satan. So while I certainly see God's laws of love as being indirectly instrumental in our salvation as they point the way to Christ, none of them can save us whatsoever for it is not their purpose. It seems to me, if followers of Christ would better recognize this, we might be better able to tolerate one another in our various minor differences of belief, and thus have less needless splits among brethren in Christ. Further, is it even within our jurisdiction as followers of Christ to determine who is and who is not a "Christian"? Is it for us to decide who will be among the first-fruits? If not, then why do we even go down that road? Do we honestly think it is the will of God for us to do so? Perhaps asking this question of ourselves might bring to mind the following teachings of Christ, our Saviour: Matthew 7:1-5:
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
Upon doing a short word study on "judge" [krino - Greek], we quickly discover that it doesn't just mean "condemn", but also "determine". Therefore, when this scripture is properly understood we learn that while it is just for us to make judgement calls, we must remember that whatever measure by which we condemn others, we will likewise be condemned. Continuing in verse 12: 12 “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. "
As Sabbatarians, do we appreciate others in mainstream Christianity telling us we are "legalists" or not "true Christians" because of our practices and observances? Of course not! It would do us well to remember that Christ teaches we should not do likewise to them. How many times have we entered by the wide gate in condemning others, and unto what ends? How have such actions served to open the minds of others to God's various truths? And how many needless congregational splits have we either caused, or fueled? Perhaps most importantly, how many people have we repelled from Christ through our various non-Christian actions, while claiming to be "Christian"? Continuing further: Matthew 7:15-20:
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 “Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
Here Christ tells us we will know false prophets by the fruits they bear. However, this same scripture is often also applied to those who are not necessarily "prophets", but typical followers of Christ. For example, typical mainstream professing Christians are often placed into the category of 'not bearing good fruits' by Sabbatarians because they practice what we have discovered to be observances having pagan origins. Therefore, we often fall into the trap of considering fellow Christians as some kind of "sub-Christian", thus elevating ourselves to be within a type of elite class of "pure Christians". This 'purity syndrome', as I call it, is something I continue to witness wherever there are groups or camps of people based around a particular cause or philosophy. I find the purity syndrome to be typically accompanied by arrogance and hypocrisy at some level. However, are these really who Christ was speaking of here as "ravenous wolves"? It seems in most cases mainstream Christians are only doing what they understand to be "Christian practices", having pure intentions within their heart to do likewise. We should be careful to remember that they are merely deceived to whatever degree, just as we are likewise deceived to whatever degree as we continue to see God's truths through a glass dimly. Let us consider how God sees individuals through His eyes: 1Sam 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Since God looks upon the heart of a person, should we not also aspire to do likewise? In doing so, would we not more closely exemplify the love of Christ? Another teaching of Christ comes to mind: Mark 9:38-40:
38 Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 “For he who is not against us is on our side."
When I read this, I cannot help to think that this teaching should be applied to various fruits besides those as miraculous as casting out demons. Therefore, as mainstream Christians do yield good fruits, showing love toward others like helping their less fortunate neighbors for example, should we not also heed this teaching of Christ to consider them, "on our side?" What good can really come from thinking otherwise of them? Can we honestly exemplify Christ to them by thinking of them as something other than "Christian"? Back to Matthew, we all have known and read starting in verse 21: Matthew 7:21-23:
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ "
I've often heard this scripture cited to exemplify that the deceptions held by mainstream Christians prevent them from truly knowing God because of their continued practice of lawlessness -- and it can surely be so in various cases. However, it seems foolish to me for Sabbatarians to believe that Christ didn't mean this for a warning to us as well. After all, do Sabbatarians no longer sin? And if we have really been given more understand of God's truths than some of our Christian cousins, are we not held to a greater degree of responsibility for supposedly knowing better? As the priests of Christ's day thought of themselves as being more righteous than their supposed "inferiors", we also have all too often fallen into this identical elitist trap of satan. Notice Christ's condemnation of their hypocrisy in Matthew 23 -- actually, the entire chapter addresses their hypocrisy, which could surely often be applied to Sabbatarians: Matthew 23:23-28:
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 “Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 “Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 “Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
How often have we individually thought ourselves as being righteous among others who profess to be Christian? How often have we neglected the weightier matters of the law, which is "justice, mercy and faith" -- which is LOVE? How long will we foolishly argue and allow our congregations to split, nay fracture, into such tiny pieces far beyond the will of God, over what we call "salvational issues"? How long will we prolong making ready the bride for the Bridegroom? How long will we continue to condemn our Christian cousins, along with one another, over less weighty matters of the law when none of them are truly salvational issues to begin with? How long before we learn that it is not even within our jurisdiction to condemn anyone or determine who is and who isn't a "Christian"? And when will we begin treating all Christians -- even unbelievers -- in the spirit of love, following Christ's new commandment to love our neighbors as He loved us? I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I've seen members of the youth in the various congregations within the Church not only tolerate, but genuinely love one another in spite of their various differences over matters of law -- if they can do it, then so can we! If we can keep focused on Christ, we can certainly overcome these obstacles we seem to continually create for ourselves, and the spiritual Church of God which knows of no man-made boundaries. | 
