Download, Update, and Scan

Download, Update, and Scan

Every week or so the security program in my computer notifies me that it is downloading new data, then it goes through an update sequence.  Sometimes the update requires a restart. Finally, it does a scan for malware and viruses on the hard drive.  This is part of keeping the machine functioning as it was designed.  The process slows the computer for a few moments while it completes, creating a minor inconvenience for me.  I could turn it off, but that would not be wise given the multiple threats that exist in the wild world of the Internet!

The Lord designed us for periodic renewals, too.  Under the first covenant, it was the Sabbath. Modeled on the Creation story in which God ‘rested,’ that is, stepped back to reflect on the completion of His work, He called His people to step away from their daily work, too. "For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death." (Exodus 31:15, NIV)  In the Christian era, having a day of worship continued. The day was no longer ‘holy,’ but the common practice of Christians was and is to gather on the “Lord’s Day,” the first day of the week.  Why that day?  It was a continuance of the Sabbath principle, but it was a celebration of a greater work of God than Creation;  the Resurrection of Christ Jesus, the act that completed the work that saves us from sin.

Sunday is a day of great value even for me as a Pastor when it is the day of maximum effort!  I eagerly look forward to gathering with friends for corporate worship and prayer even though I pray and worship alone every day.  “Going to church” is not just a cultural thing for me. In corporate worship gatherings, the Holy Spirit creates an opportunity for me to hit life’s reset button, to process what has happened throughout the week, to reflect on my choices.  Sometimes that leads to me to repentance, and it always brings a genuine sense of renewal.  

 Many Christians, perhaps even the majority, have discarded observing the Lord’s Day, mistakenly believing that a regular practice is ‘legalistic.’  In years past, rules about Sunday for Christians were often heavy-headed, the result of human effort, not a response to the Spirit’s invitation.  But, now among us, the pendulum has swung far, far in the other direction.  Sunday is barely different from any other day. Church attendance becomes a matter of convenience, “if I can find the time.”  Even among those who profess to be devout, Spirit-filled Christians, many other things – sports, home maintenance, sleeping in, family events -  are allowed to replace coming together for worship and Word.

This casual attitude about being part of the Church steals a part of God’s plan for our spiritual health from us.  If we charge through days, weeks, and months without a real break we rob ourselves of His gift of renewal!  Setting the Lord’s Day aside, making gathering for church a high priority, using the balance of the day to bless others, to read, to rest, allows us to download, update, and scan!  We, pastors, are reluctant about becoming too militant about this failure lest we risk being charged with laying the Law back on shoulders of those who have been set free from it!  Yet, we see the effects – slipping back into unholy ways, letting relationships that keep us strong in faith erode, modeling a casual commitment for our children who often understand the symbolism of being ‘in church’ more than we know.  The effects – positive and negative – of how we observe or fail to keep the Lord’s Day are cumulative, just as with any other spiritual discipline. 

The Word directs all Christians to highly value regular worship.  It’s an invitation to a strong, effective faith.  May you receive the invitation with obedience. "We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer." (Hebrews 10:24-25, CEV)

I urge you to give careful thought to your understanding of the Lord’s Day and without slipping into a religious rule discover the gift God gives when He calls us to ‘take a break.’ “If you watch your step on the Sabbath and don’t use my holy day for personal advantage, If you treat the Sabbath as a day of joy, God’s holy day as a celebration, If you honor it by refusing ‘business as usual,’ making money, running here and there— Then you’ll be free to enjoy God! Oh, I’ll make you ride high and soar above it all. I’ll make you feast on the inheritance of your ancestor Jacob.” Yes! God says so!" (Isaiah 58:13-14, The Message)