Jonathan Bartlett

Bottineau

On March 19 the N.D. Senate passed a bill overturning the state’s so-called blue laws. The overturning of these laws is a tragedy because it shows our low regard for the Lord’s Day and our low regard for the Lord himself.

How we view the Lord’s Day is a barometer for how fit we are for heaven. If we joyfully anticipate spending eternity in the Lord’s presence, worshipping him and singing his praises with His people, surely we should take delight setting aside one day each week for Him here. If we cannot enjoy spending even one day worshipping God on earth, why do we think we will enjoy it in heaven?

So many of us treat the Ten Commandments as if they were Nine Commandments. The commandment for holy resting is as eternal as any of the other commandments. Each commandment is a reflection of God’s character. The Lord’s Day, which has been Sunday ever since the Lord Jesus finished His work of redemption on the first day of week, is a day of holy rest and worship. It is a day not only for Christians, but for all people. The Sabbath was made for mankind (Mark 2:27).

In the Old Testament context, the Sabbath command included a requirement to allow even servants and livestock to rest. For us today, that means we should have retained the blue laws so employees can rest and worship. The Lord’s Day has been called the “market day of the soul,” and by keeping it, we will be better prepared to keep all the other commandments.

The overturning of the blue laws is a tragedy. May we again, as a state, turn back to the Lord, and may we realize again the blessing of the Lord’s Day.