Excuse XVII
Yeah Buts and What Ifs
Question:
Don’t the complexities of today’s world demand that allowances be made for God’s people to engage in certain practices that will no longer be necessary in the Kingdom?
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In an attempt to justify the sin of seeking out unbelievers and paying them for their Sabbath labor, virtually every advocate of this practice advances the argument of “moral equivalence.” However, one particular COG takes this approach to new depths. They actually contend that going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is morally no different than going to a hospital because both involve people working. Therefore, because God would never condemn the act of calling 911 if someone had just been hit by a car on the Sabbath, he would never condemn it if someone called a five star restaurant and made Sabbath reservations for his family and friends. After all, work is work.
This COG also presents a host of examples where Sabbath labor is involved and argues that if it is permissible to engage ANY labor on the Sabbath then it must be permissible to engage ALL labor, or at least the labor of those who work in restaurants.But is this true?
We will first present their argument in its entirety—after which we will respond to each point, omitting nothing. Once again, remember, the issue is whether or not God condones the practice of dining out on His Sabbath. Here is how these COG leaders advance their point.
In the Church we rent halls on the Sabbath for services. In some cases we are required to have a janitor present. If one believes he is “doing business” by eating in a restaurant on the Sabbath, then, in principle, this would also be a problem.
The Church has also met in VFW halls where veterans are smoking elsewhere in the building during services. We've met in movie theaters where carnal movies were shown the night before or after the church service as well as advertised on the walls of the building during the service. Nehemiah certainly would not allow this and neither would we if these businesses were under the Church's jurisdiction, as they were in Nehemiah's day.
What about people who rent a home or apartment? The rent does not cease on the Sabbath. These examples and questions support our position that eating in a restaurant does not violate the Sabbath.
Another area of concern would be a nursing home or a hospital setting. A fee is charged for the meals in both locations and someone has to serve those meals. Are members of the Church who live in nursing homes or find themselves in a hospital over the Sabbath violating the Sabbath by eating their meals? We do not believe they are.
Justifying Sin
It is amazing to see the lengths people will go to when justifying sin. In the case of this large COG organization, they argue that there is no difference between the behaviors they presented above and going to a restaurant on God's day. They do this because they desperately want to go back into spiritual Egypt on a day God consecrated and purchase the fruit of its sin.
However, in the interest of fairness, let us take a closer look at the examples presented by this church when defending their behavior. As we do, it will become abundantly clear that there is virtually no comparison between their examples and dining out on God's Sabbath. Notice what they argue. As you do, imagine presenting this wisdom to God Almighty when explaining your Sabbath behavior.
Example I
In the Church we rent halls on the Sabbath for services. In some cases we are required to have a janitor present. If one believes he is “doing business” by eating in a restaurant on the Sabbath, then, in principle, this would also be a problem.
Now for the TRUTH
It is interesting that this COG states that they "rent halls ON the Sabbath." It is our understanding that this is not true. In truth, they do not sign leases or pay rents on the Sabbath. Therefore, their words would be more accurately stated, "We rent halls FOR the Sabbath." With that said here is the problem with their argument.
Although this COG fails to admit it, there is a HUGE difference between renting a hall for services and seeking out Sabbath-breakers to prepare their meals on holy time. First, the halls which are rented by COGs around the world are specifically dedicated to the service of God's people and their worship of Him. Furthermore, although some halls require their personnel to be there, it is not a requirement of the church. The church does not need facility staff in order to conduct services. In essence, such personnel provide NO SERVICE whatsoever to God's people. They are simply protecting the interests of those who own or manage the hall. In truth, the church is renting space, not manpower.
When it comes to dining out on the Sabbath the opposite is true. The manpower working at a restaurant is absolutely essential to what this COG is advocating. Labor is what is being contracted. In other words, there must be people there to prepare and serve the food as well as a host of other functions.
If this COG really believes their point, here are some questions for them: What would happen if the halls you use for services gave you the option of not having any of their people present? Would your services be able to go on without them? The answer should be obvious--of course they would! Now let's suppose that the restaurant you go to on the Sabbath gave you the option of not having anyone serve you or prepare your meals on God’s day. Do you see the difference now?
Example II
The Church has also met in VFW halls where veterans are smoking elsewhere in the building during services. We've met in movie theaters where carnal movies were shown the night before or after the church service as well as advertised on the walls of the building during the service. Nehemiah certainly would not allow this and neither would we if these businesses were under the Church's jurisdiction, as they were in Nehemiah's day.
Denying the Obvious
This attempt to justify the SIN of going to restaurants on the Sabbath illustrates how far people will go to deny the obvious. Their purpose in this particular piece of silliness is to prove that if it is acceptable with God for His people to hold services in a theater where an inappropriate movie was shown the night before, then it must also be acceptable with Him if His people proactively seek out Sabbath-breakers and pay them to labor for them at a restaurant. Once again these COG leaders attempt to blur the lines between two entirely different behaviors. What they refuse to acknowledge is that their Sabbath and holy day services are not the least bit dependent on smokers in adjoining rooms or, the promotion of inappropriate movies on walls. The same however, cannot be said about the sin that takes place at a restaurant every Sabbath. When it comes to dining out on holy time, these COG ministers are totally dependent on lawlessness--without it they don't get to do what they desire. In other words, while these men don't require smokers in the room next door in order to hold services, they do require people to profane the Sabbath in order to eat at a restaurant. That is what they are seeking out and paying for.The [human] reasoning offered by these church leaders to justify their sin may fool them, but it doesn't fool the Almighty. In truth, it OFFENDS Him. There is no command prohibiting God's people from holding services where those outside may be sinning. However, the Bible absolutely condemns soliciting sin, which is exactly what takes place whenever God’s people dine out on the Sabbath.
Example III
What about people who rent a home or apartment? The rent does not cease on the Sabbath. These examples and questions support our position that eating in a restaurant does not violate the Sabbath.
The Real Truth about Renting
The only thing these examples and questions prove is that the objective of this prominent COG is not to seek out the Lord's will in this matter, but rather to justify their own behavior. Furthermore, these points don't possess a hint of honesty. According to this logic God's people can spend money all day on the Sabbath because they rent their apartments all day as well. Even this COG doesn't believe that.
The truth that this prominent church wants to ignore is that rent on apartments as well as the mortgage on homes is accrued over specified periods of time. There is nothing that compels God's people to seek out these products and services on the Sabbath, let alone pay for them. If these COG leaders want this example to be consistent with their argument, they must conclude that God would actually approve of His people going apartment hunting for an hour or two on the Sabbath, including filling out applications and giving deposits. Why? Because that is exactly what they do when dining out on the Sabbath. First, they go out into the world and seek out a restaurant of their liking. They then look at a menu to determine which product(s) appeal to them. They then place their order and consume it—all on holy time. They also pay for it on the Sabbath, including a tip for the service.
At this point it is important to understand that when one rents or buys a home it is done so with the purpose of spending a protracted period of their life in it. Dining out on the Sabbath is totally different. It is an activity that only involves the buying of goods and services to be consumed on HOLY TIME. This entire transaction involves the profaning of God's Sabbath. While this COG sees no difference between living in an apartment and seeking out Sabbath-breakers to prepare their meals, the differences are HUGE.
Example IV
Another area of concern would be a nursing home or a hospital setting. A fee is charged for the meals in both locations and someone has to serve those meals. Are members of the Church who live in nursing homes or find themselves in a hospital over the Sabbath violating the Sabbath by eating their meals? We do not believe they are.
The Hospital Defense
This is one of the most self-serving arguments any COG has ever offered when justifying their behavior and these leaders should be ashamed of themselves for presenting it. In essence, they are hiding behind the weak and infirmed in order to excuse indulging their own appetite for pleasure on God's Day.
While they fail to see the difference between their scenarios and dining out on the Sabbath, the differences are considerable. For example, who would ever consider staying in a hospital "a wonderful way to spend a portion of the Sabbath"? But that is exactly how this particular group characterized dining out on holy time. Furthermore, what member of their doctrinal committee would describe being confined in a nursing home by saying "it can be one of the highlights of a person’s week"? But, once again, that is how they described going to restaurants on God's day. Furthermore, if given a choice between being able to live a life filled with vibrant health and living in a nursing home, what would these men choose?
An OX in a Ditch
God's word makes it clear that there are circumstances that may necessitate labor on the Sabbath, but this is an exception, not a rule. Jesus spoke of this exception when dining at the home of a prominent Pharisee (Lk. 14: 1-5). Also there, was a man suffering from “dropsy,” an abnormal and painful accumulation of fluid in the tissue of the body.
Jesus seized upon this moment to teach a valuable lesson about compassion. He began by asking these religious leaders if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. When they did not answer Him, Jesus healed the man. Perhaps anticipating a reaction from the guests, Jesus posed another question:
Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the Sabbath day? (Lk. 14:5)
The Messiah’s question silenced these men because it not only appealed to their understanding of the scriptures, but also to rabbinical law, which also provided for such acts of mercy. By invoking the law, Jesus was cutting through all the potential arguments these men may have been crafting. However, His words and actions were saying much more. The point He was making was that sometimes life does not go according to plan. There can be unexpected twists and turns. In short: an ox can fall into a pit.
The action Jesus took illustrated that when there is danger to life or property, God understands and even expects His children to take measures to correct the problem, even if it occurs on His Sabbath. In other words, save the ox.
Other Examples
This principle can be applied to other situations in life as well. For example, there may be a time when the car breaks down or an injury occurs on God’s Sabbath. These are not planned events. They are unforeseen emergencies. The fact is that our lives can be interrupted by events that are simply beyond our control.
However, there is a principle here that must be respected. The ox in a ditch is the exception, not the rule. In other words, just because you had to change a flat tire last Sabbath does not mean it is okay to set up an auto repair business that is open seven days a week.
Buying on the Sabbath
There are also times when purchasing something on the Sabbath would be appropriate based on the principle of an ox in a ditch. For example: suppose you are taking a Sabbath walk and notice an elderly gentleman has collapsed on the sidewalk. When you approach to offer assistance, he informs you that he is diabetic and asks if you could buy him a specific kind of candy bar. Across the street is a convenience store and in your pocket is a five dollar bill. This is an ox in a ditch. This act is not about engaging in business on the Sabbath. It is about doing good on the Sabbath. This being the case, there may be times when it might be necessary to buy food on this day. But this should only take place in a genuine emergency where the alternative may be catastrophic.
Finally, when Jesus gave the lesson of an ox in a ditch, it was in the context of healing, not dining. The principle is there to be sure, but it is not to be manipulated. To do so would be a HUGE mistake. Those who use His teaching regarding mercy to justify going to restaurants on the Sabbath should ask themselves, “Is it really an emergency?” Or is it possible that you are just exploiting for your own benefit the compassion and mercy of the very Savior who made provisions for dealing with a real emergency that may arise on holy time?
