DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)
CAR WASH by D.J. Martin
After early Sunday morning worship services, I often pass by a car wash full of people. During a Sunday afternoon conversation, I thought I had an audience of agreeable ‘mature’ Christians with whom I could express my dismay. However, one of the ministers gently challenged me. Admittedly, I couldn’t justify my rebuke of that practice. I had no religious or biblical premise to validate my complaint. I deemed it sacrilegious. In my unwritten book of rules, washing cars was something you didn’t do on Sunday. Nevertheless, after listening to the minister, I became aware of my religious and judgmental attitude. It was offensive to me, but I couldn’t biblically argue that it was offensive to God.
I realized that my perspective was limited and shaped by my own personal beliefs and traditions. This experience taught me the importance of humility and open-mindedness when it comes to understanding and interpreting religious practices. It challenged me to reevaluate the basis of my convictions and to approach differences in religious observance with empathy and understanding. Ultimately, it encouraged me to engage in meaningful dialogue with others, even when our perspectives may initially seem at odds. This encounter served as a powerful reminder of the complexities of human interpretation and the need for compassion in navigating theological differences.
I remember, one Sunday morning my brother was singing a secular song and I responded, “This is the Sabbath, keep it holy.” Much like a hypocritical Pharisee (Luke 13:15), I had a ridiculous, unwritten list of things people should never do on a Sunday: don’t iron, wash cars, sing or listen to secular songs…
With all the commandments that the Pharisees observed, keeping the Sabbath was the one charge (John 5:16) they relentless made against Jesus. Oh my, they were so outraged when His disciples took corn from the stalk to eat on the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-2)! Observing the Sabbath became their measuring rod and premise of justification for accepting or denying the legitimacy of Jesus Christ.
On one Sabbath, Jesus went to the synagogue when a man with a withered hand was there. The Pharisees, intending to accuse Jesus, asked Him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:10). Jesus’ reply posed a better question, “Is it lawful to ‘do good’ on the Sabbath (Mark 3:4)?” Then He commanded the man to stretch out his hand, and when he did, his withered hand was whole. I imagine they couldn’t charge Jesus with working on the Sabbath, because they couldn’t prove whether He healed the man or if God in heaven did.
Jesus, full of compassion (Matthew 14:14), often healed and performed miracles on the Sabbath. I’m sure that, to the people, any day was a good day to receive healing.
Since His resurrection, most Christians celebrate Sunday as their Sabbath. Jesus set the captives free and broke chains with His death, burial, and resurrection. He got up with all power in His hand and set us free from rules and bondage (Galatians 4:4-5, Isaiah 61:1). Therefore, we are free to worship and free to revere our relationship with the Father more than observing a day. However, like the religious Jews, some denominations, pastors, and elders have adopted a set of rules and regulations to place next to the Bible. They bemoan cults, but the only difference between them and cults is that cults are strict enforcers, overtly controlling enslavers, and disproportionately worshipers of religious rules and regulations more than worshippers of God.
Paul scolded the religious Jews because they were insisting that the Gentiles observe Jewish rules or traditions that require circumcision and avoidance of certain foods. Paul explained to them that it was heartfelt faith in Christ not traditions and laws that was the determination of their relationship in the family of God (Galatians 4 & 5).
The Pharisees also judged the disciples by the washing of hands. How about you? Do you or your church have a rule or measuring rod by which you justify one’s piety or Christianity? Do they measure up to your religious standards? Is it how they comb their hair, the way they dress; such as wearing jeans while preaching on a Sunday morning, tattoos on their body, or a man wearing earrings? Is it what they eat or who they dine with? Is it their non-religious interpretation of the Word or their non-religious speech? Is it that they prophesy, heal, or speak in tongues during Sunday Morning service? Here’s one; is it that they are naked hanging on the cross, next to Jesus, publicly confessing their sins and welcomed by Jesus into His kingdom?
It’s not by outward appearance, but by the heart that God judges.
Which ingratiates you to God: wearing a white suit, pure white ankle length dresses, white head covering, and lily-white gloves on a Sunday or a clean heart? Admittedly, I have looked at people and what they do or wear, on a Sunday, which I wouldn’t do or wear, and questioned their thinking but never their relationship with God. How could I? Only God can see their heart.
Hmm. Wonder what God will reward more for; religiously obeying denominational rules on Sunday or faithfully pursuing a relationship with Him daily?
And He said unto them, “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath…” Mark 2:27
That’s Today’s Single Focus
Thankfully, we made it to the other side before the storm came. There were palm trees whose leaves rustled in a gentle breeze as we approached the shore. We passed the trees into a city where the sunshiny sky was clear, blue and calm. There were no signs of an approaching storm. In fact, I don’t remember rain at any time during my stay in Israel.
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