For a Sabbatarian, the “law of Christ” in 1 Corinthians 9:21 is understood as the moral law of God, as summarized in the Ten Commandments, but fulfilled and re-expressed through Christ’s life, teaching, and redemptive work.
Sabbatarians see the “law of Christ” not as a new or entirely different law, but as the moral law, including the Fourth Commandment (Sabbath observance), applied in the New Covenant context.
Here’s how a Sabbatarian would typically interpret this concept:
The Law of Christ Is the Moral Law Fulfilled in Him
Sabbatarians believe that the moral law, written on stone tablets in the Old Covenant, remains binding under the New Covenant but is fulfilled and clarified in Christ.
Key Points:
- Christ’s Teaching: Jesus affirmed the enduring relevance of the moral law, stating, “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” (Matthew 5:17). For Sabbatarians, this includes the Fourth Commandment, properly understood in light of Christ.
- The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue represents God’s eternal moral law, which reflects His character. The “law of Christ” is not a replacement of the moral law but its fullest expression.
The Lord’s Day as a Fulfillment of the Fourth Commandment
For Sabbatarians, the Fourth Commandment is part of the “law of Christ” because the Sabbath principle of rest and worship continues in the New Covenant:
- The Lord’s Day: While the specific day of observance has shifted from the seventh day (Saturday) to the first day (Sunday), this reflects Christ’s resurrection and the inauguration of the New Creation. Passages like Acts 20:7 and Revelation 1:10 are seen as evidence of early Christian practice.
- Spiritual and Physical Rest: The Sabbath principle, fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 4:9-10), calls believers to set apart a day for worship and rest as an act of obedience and trust in God.
The “Law of Christ” as Love and Commandment-Keeping
Sabbatarians affirm that the law of Christ is rooted in love but does not negate the specific commandments of God:
- Love Fulfills the Law: Paul teaches that love fulfills the law (Romans 13:10), but this love is not abstract; it is defined by obedience to God’s moral standards, including the Ten Commandments (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3).
- Continuity of the Moral Law: Sabbatarians interpret the “law of Christ” as the moral law fulfilled in and mediated through Christ, distinguishing it from the ceremonial and civil laws, which were tied to the Mosaic Covenant.
Practical Implications for Sabbatarians
For Sabbatarians, living under the “law of Christ” means:
- Observing the Lord’s Day: Faithfully dedicating Sunday as a day of worship and rest in accordance with the Sabbath principle.
- Obedience to God’s Moral Law: Recognizing that the Ten Commandments, including the Sabbath commandment, reflect God’s will for Christian living.
- Christ-Centered Obedience: Following the law not as a means of earning salvation but as an expression of love and gratitude, empowered by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4).
A Sabbatarian Response to Non-Sabbatarian Views
Sabbatarians would argue that the “law of Christ” cannot exclude the Sabbath because:
- The Moral Law Is Perpetual: The moral law, summarized in the Ten Commandments, is eternal and applies to all people (Romans 3:31).
- Christ Fulfilled, Not Abolished, the Law: The fulfillment of the law in Christ does not negate its application but deepens its meaning and spiritual significance.
- The Lord’s Day Practice: The New Testament demonstrates a continuation of the Sabbath principle in the practice of the early church, making it part of the “law of Christ.”
Conclusion
For a Sabbatarian, the “law of Christ” in 1 Corinthians 9:21 includes the moral law, summarized in the Ten Commandments, with the Fourth Commandment observed as the Lord’s Day. It reflects the eternal moral principles of God, fulfilled in Christ and applied to the believer’s life through the Spirit. This perspective sees continuity between the Old and New Covenants, emphasizing that Christ’s law is not a new or separate law but the fulfillment and clarification of God’s eternal standards for His people.
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