The Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments. We don't murder, we don't steal—but what about the Sabbath? Is it required for Christians today, or is it optional? And if we don't keep it on Saturday like our Jewish brothers and sisters, are we doing it wrong?

Hi everyone! I'm Paul Fowler, the Lake Forest Campus Pastor, and welcome back to our "Holy Habits" devotional series. Today, we're tackling one of the most misunderstood and debated spiritual practices: Sabbath. To understand it, we have to go all the way back to the beginning—and then trace it through Scripture to see how it applies to our lives today.

In this devotion, we explore:

Where the Sabbath originates: God resting on the seventh day in Genesis—not because He was tired, but because He was modeling something essential for us.
The Sabbath in the Old Testament: From manna in the wilderness to the Fourth Commandment, to a "day of sacred assembly" in Leviticus.
The Sabbath in the New Testament: Jesus celebrating it, getting in trouble for healing on it, and the early church's transition to gathering on Sunday (the first day of the week) because of the resurrection.
The tricky question: Do we have to keep the Sabbath since it's part of the Ten Commandments? A look at Colossians 2, the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, and the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant.
The bottom line: We are not under obligation to keep the Sabbath—but that doesn't mean we should ignore it. What might the Holy Spirit be inviting you into when it comes to rest?

The Sabbath isn't just a rule to follow or a box to check. It's a gift. But maybe you've never stopped to ask God: What should the Sabbath look like in my life?

Take some time today to pray and ask that very question. You might be surprised by what He shows you.

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