Shortly after I became a Christian, I started serving in my church on Sundays. However, something that often bothered me was working on Sundays. My thought process was that we weren’t supposed to work on Sunday, given that I worked full-time already. I often worked every day of the week. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ disciples pick and eat wheat grains on the Sabbath.

When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

Matthew 12:2 (NIV)

Jesus responds by pointing out how David and his men ate the consecrated bread that was only fit for priests and later declares that it’s “lawful to do good on the Sabbath ” (Matthew 12:12 NIV). Therefore, serving the church on the Sabbath is okay.

The question is, is it alright to work on the Sabbath? Whatever your job might be, should you work on the Sabbath day (for me, it’s Sunday) or find another job/schedule?

Let’s examine why the Sabbath is the Sabbath and what the Sabbath is not. In Exodus, God gives the Israelites a command regarding the Sabbath day.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.

Exodus 20:8-10 (NIV)

The Sabbath was a day of rest. The Sabbath day was to be kept holy by not working. The Sabbath, as some might think, was not set apart as a day of worshipping the Lord. Although by following the Lord’s commands, you are worshipping him. However, when everything you do is to the glory of God, you’re honoring him, but I digress.

Therefore, the Sabbath day is a day for resting from work. Paul gives us more insight into the Sabbath day.

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

Colossians 2:16 (NIV)

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.

Romans 14:5 (NIV)

Clearly, Christians are no longer required to keep the Sabbath by the law.

However, I believe we should take time to rest and keep the rest day on a schedule. During the pandemic, when I was working from home,, and the world was closed down, I didn’t ask for a work schedule that had Sundays off because I wasn’t going to church, and whenever I did have a Sunday off work schedule, it meant I didn’t get two days off in a row. Thus, for the first time in over 10 years, I worked on a Sunday, and not having Sunday off made a difference.

Although I had two days off in a row, neither of those two days was treated like my Sundays. My mindset was off and not on serving the Lord like it previously had been. Although I continued my devotions every day and read the Bible, etc. It just wasn’t the same.

For me, I have to have a day of rest away from home focused on serving the Lord and his people. A day of fellowship and coming together with the Saints.

So, are Christians required to keep the Sabbath? No, should we spend a day without work? Yes, without a doubt. If we spend that day serving the Lord in fellowship with other Christians, that’s icing on the cake.

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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