Answers For Christians About Resting On The Seventh Day
A core responsibility of every Christian is to follow the Ten Commandments as closely as they can. Unfortunately, there are many questions and a general sense of confusion that people may have surrounding some of these commandments, and this can make it harder for them to follow them. In particular, the commandment to rest on the seventh day is one of the more misunderstood commandments among both new and long-practicing Christians.
Why Would There Be A Need For God To Rest On The Seventh Day?
The commandment to rest on the seventh day is so that Christians will be able to have a day dedicated to worship and rest. This comes from the idea that God rested on the seventh day after making creation. While individuals will often find it confusing that God would need rest, it is important to note that there are a couple of different interpretations or explanations. One of these is that the act of making all of creation was draining enough to require divine rest. However, another interpretation is that the notion of rest refers more to taking a less intensive role in managing the creation. While theologians have argued over this question for hundreds of years, the practical result is that followers are called to dedicate the last day of the week for spiritual reflection and worship services that can help to strengthen their faith.
How Should Worshipers Respect The Commandment To Rest?
Worshipers will often feel some confusion as to how they should follow the commandment to rest. Generally, this is taken to mean that individuals should refrain from labor as much as possible on these days so that they are free to focus on matters of spirituality. Unfortunately, modern life may not always make this possible. For those that must regularly or occasionally work on Sundays, it is often understood that this can be offset by dedicating an off day to rest and spirituality. However, each denomination will have its own rules concerning this particular situation.
Are Recreational Activities Considered Work Or Rest?
Individuals will often assume that rest refers specifically to remain in bed or on the couch. However, rest is also often taken to mean recreational activities as these activities can be enriching for the soul and spirit. If your denomination allows for recreational activities on the Sabbath, you may want to prefer those activities that will allow for you to have quiet time for reflection and prayer, such as hiking or other activities set outdoors.
To learn more, check out books that talk about how did God "rest."
Share