Recently in our men's group we talked about the Sabbath and what does God require from us in terms of Sabbath rest. Two of the men facilitating the large group discussion shared when they were growing up and when they met their wives (both in high school) that they had to succumb to the rules on the Sabbath with their then-t0-be wives. Interesting enough, one shared that one day he and his wife (girlfriend) at that time wanted to grow swimming on the Sabbath. So they did, and the rules were that you could get into the pool and float BUT you could not swim, which some men brought up the question around the table: What happened if one started to drown?
Christ Came to Fulfill the Law
Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
Jesus said that until all is accomplished that mankind was bound by the law. Putting this in more perspective, for any man woman or child that does not know Jesus through God calling man to be his, humanity will be judged by the Law of Moses. That being said, if we do not know God's Son (Jesus Christ) as Savior, then if we are find guilty of one of these commandments, then we are guilty of them all. I don't know about you, but me without Jesus equals no hope, because I am a sinful man.
Colossians 2:20 “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”
Did you catch that last part? Psychiatrist, therapists and the like cannot get to the core of the problem - men are battling both a physical and spiritual battle. You can treat the symptoms, but unless you receive Jesus into your heart - there is truly no freedom of this indulgence of the flesh. Humanity is sinful. Without God, there is no hope for man. Without a personal relationship with Jesus, there is no salvation. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no guidance and we are like a ship in a stormy sea without a rudder.
Remember this in your daily walks, Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
When you talk to doctors and trainers and those who know how the body and the brain works, we realize more and more that the Bible is the true authority in our life. God knows what is best for us and that is to know His Son (Jesus Christ) as Savior. To be in relationship with the Triune God (The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit) and to unplug and find rest so that we can be in community with Him.
Blessings,
Dante