Some Thoughts to Reflect Upon

Hi Bob

Thanks very much for the kind concern you and George have for me about the Sabbath. However, I don’t share George's convictions, bless his heart. They don’t marry with the Scripture that I am reading. Let me tell you that God can show us in minutes by His Holy Spirit that which would otherwise take months or even years to learn so I don’t buy the time restriction but I am aware of the foolishness of jumping the gun; that’s why I remain open minded despite the convictions I am expressing at the moment. And after all, I am simply sharing what I am finding at the moment. I may change tomorrow if the Lord shows me something to the contrary. Let it be known to George that I do respect his views about the Sabbath and I dont doubt his sincerity. If he is right then one day the Spirit will lead me back to the Sabbath.

Right now, however, I have so much Scriptural evidence to support the converse that my conscience doesn’t trouble me anymore. Believe me, Bob, I for one, must have evidence beyond reasonable doubt, before I am prepared to make a change, I am a stubborn man to convince. So far from being troubled, rather the reverse in fact! I would fear to be keeping the Sabbath for to do so I am persuaded is to adorn a yoke of bondage and send out the wrong signals about what grace is. No, I am rejoicing in the FREEDOM the true Gospel gives, the truth that in Christ the Law and all its obligations were fulfilled and that if I abide in Him He will impute and impart the sweet fruits of His spirit, His righteousness in me which include the spirit of the Law. which is infintely higher than a temporary written code. Compare Gal 3:19-20. The Law was for indeed a boot camp to restrain the disobedient. But the righteous in Israel did not need the Law save only that it
pointed out there need for Christ. Christ has taken us out of boot camp and has set us down with Him in heavenly places. His righteousnes transcends all Law and is epitimised by the Royal Law of agape Love that was written in His heart, written in Adam's heart, written in Abraham's heart by nature, and will be written in the hearts of the redeemed by nature, here and in Heaven where there will be no need for written law for God's redeemed.

Let me say something about unclean meats. I have investigated that recently it its a very simple one to resolve. As far as these are concerned I am satisfied that three are unclean and clean meats alright. That was made very clear from when the animals went into the ark. So anyone who expresses respect for these Bible laws, is doing himself a favour! Isn't it logical that a God who created man, who loves mankind,,will also have given guidance on the best "fuel" for his body? And what to avoid? And Christians especially, in whom dwells the Spirit of God, who are His "Temple", who are Christ's Body, ought to give heed to the Bible's dietary laws!However as far as salvation is converned we are not to make the non-eating of unclean meat or the keeping of the a holy day a matter of judgment. The doctrine of abstaining from meat today is of the devil. 1 Tim. 4:1-4: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times (last days) some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.). Clearly the food included here is that adapted for human consumption, clean food including fish meant chicken, vegetables fruits, nuts grains etc. "The word here used brwma means, properly, whatever is eaten, and may refer to animal flesh, fish, fruit, or vegetables. It is often, however, in the New Testament, employed particularly to denote the flesh of animals, Heb 9:10 13:9 Ro 14:15,20 1Co 8:8,13. As it was animal food particularly which was forbidden under the Jewish code, and as the questions on
this subject among Christians would relate to the same kinds of prohibition, it is probable that the word has the same limited signification here, and should be taken as meaning the same thing that the word meat does with us. To forbid the use of certain meats, is here described as one of the characteristics of those who would instruct the church in the time of the great apostasy. It is not necessary to suppose that there would be an entire prohibition, but only a prohibition of certain kinds, and at certain seasons". "There can be no doubt that in the apostasy here referred to, those things would be forbidden, not because they were injurious or hurtful in their nature, but because it might be made a part of a system of religion of self-righteousness, and because there might be connected with such a prohibition the belief of special merit." –– Barnes. The SDA did exactly that and we must shed this evil mindset.
Actually I refuse to eat meat in the UK because I dont want to become a mad bull!! But the point is that in Christ we are under His authority. the law of the Spirit of life, and are free to choose by the direction of His Spirit what we eat imposing vegetatianism is not permitted by New Testament scripture and the fact that the SDA and other organisations do this shows the spirit they have spurring them on. And yes although it would not be wise to eat pig or drink alcohol (my article on Alcohol in the Bible still stands as far as I am concerned) it is not a salvation issue, for the kingdom of heaven is not about food and drink.

Bob, I am still studying the Sabbath in great detail slowly verse by verse and I will share the results with you once I am done.

I am also done for today and will wish you a blessed Sabbath

I value our friendship Bob and the fact that we can talk freely about these things without attacking each other. Both of us and I am sure George too, want to do God's will and thats nots the reson we differ.

Always your brother in His love

Brian