Sanctification

God has declared in His Word that the seventh day is a sign between Him and His chosen people–a sign of their loyalty. . . .
The seventh day is God’s chosen day. He has not left this matter to be remodeled by priest or ruler. It is of too great importance to be left to human judgment. God saw that men would study their own convenience, and choose a day best suited to their inclinations, a day bearing no divine authority; and He has stated plainly that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord.
Every man in God’s world is under the laws of His government. God has placed the Sabbath in the bosom of the Decalogue, and has made it the criterion of obedience. Through it we may learn of His power, as displayed in His works and His Word. . . .
Men could not place themselves more decidedly in opposition to God’s work and to His law than by upholding a day that is without one evidence of sanctity, and professing to worship Him on that day. Those who have corrupted the law by substituting a false sabbath for the holy Sabbath of God, and who compel the observance of this false sabbath, exalt themselves above God, and honor the spurious above the genuine.
Sanctification is claimed by professed Christians who ignore God’s holy rest day for a spurious sabbath. But God declares that the sanctification coming from Him is bestowed on those only who honor Him by obeying His commands. The sanctification claimed by those who continue in transgression is a spurious sanctification. Thus the religious world is deceived by the enemy of God and man. . . .
Men have sought out many inventions. They have taken a common day, upon which God has placed no sanctity, and have clothed it with sacred prerogatives. They have declared it to be a holy day, but this does not give it a vestige of sanctity. They dishonor God by accepting human institutions and presenting to the world as the Christian Sabbath a day which has no “Thus saith the Lord” for its authority.
Maranatha p. 238
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for the family and friends of a young mother who died unexpectedly. Rose
—–Please pray for us as we travel home today. Meredith
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Dear Friends,

When I was about 15, times were quite unhappy for me. I had a goldfish that gave me comfort. We did not have enough money for a big fish tank, so the poor thing was in a small fishbowl. Every few days, the water would be very oxygen depleted and I would carry the fishbowl over to the sink and let fresh water trickle into the bowl. My fish really liked that cool, fresh water.

One day, I was in a hurry to see my favorite TV show, when I noticed that my little pet needed fresh water. I picked up the bowl, hurried over to the sink, and turned on the water. Then I went back into the living room to enjoy my program. When I finally remembered my fish, I went to the sink to get him.

To my horror, my little pet was floating at the top of the bowl. He was dead. In my haste to do other things, I had forgotten that the landlord had put the plumbing in backwards and accidently turned on the hot water which was where the cold water should have been. At first the water had felt cold, but in a minute or two, it became extremely hot. My fish died a very uncomfortable death. I cried and cried, but all the sorrow in the world could not make my little pet live again. In just one moment of carelessness, I had lost a good animal friend.

So it is in our dealings with others. By a careless word, by a thoughtless act, by words of anger or gossip, we can damage a friendship for life. We can ask forgiveness and that friend might forgive us, but the scar remains. Our Dear Saviour warns, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” John 12:34-37

James adds, “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.” James 3:2-16

Solomon tells us, “An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.” “He that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.” “As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.” Prov 16:27,28;17:9;27:18-28

May we be very careful to use our gift of speech aright. May we determine as did David, “I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.” Psa 17:3 May we pray as he did, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psa 19:14

Rose