quote:

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Originally posted by Dan Wilson:

I believe that that was an instance in which we witnessed by breaking a commandment.

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I'm just curious; what commandment did you break by helping that stranded lady?

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Examine me, O LORD, and prove me: try my reins and my heart. Ps.26:2
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in men.Ps.118:8

Their daughter invited me to join her and some of her friends for the next Friday night, and because she was an Adventist I assumed it was a Bible study (or something similar). But instead, it was a Friday night dance party. She danced, and invited me to dance also, but I never did. I just sat there with an uncomfortable feeling, realizing she was doing this at all, let alone on the Sabbath. I soon told her I wanted to leave, and that was the end of it.

I was not even baptized yet, but my interest
in the Adventist Church was not dampened by the poor example she gave. I was searching for truth and this church had it, and I knew there would be wheat and tares.

I'm grateful that the Lord helped me look beyond these kinds of examples, and that He put a love for truth in my heart inspite of them. In this time in history we need to pray He will do this for alot more people, because conditions in the church are far worse today than they were back then.

[This message has been edited by Dennis Crabbe (edited June 19, 2001).]

Why it's obvious isn't it Gerry? We were working on a car on Sabbath. That breaks the fourth commandment.
	quote: Dan Wilson

Dan, I can't help but wonder whether you're being serious or facetious with these comments, but even if you are joking about it, I'll respond anyway for the benefit of others who may read this thread.

If you sinned by being a good Samaritan in helping a stranded lady on your way to church that one Sabbath, then Jesus also did sin when He and His disciples plucked grain so they could eat. Then Jesus also did sin when He healed on the Sabbath.

You were wrongfully chastised by a fellow church member. Jesus was wrongfully chastised by the church leaders. Both you and He were wrongfully accused of breaking the Sabbath, but neither of you did.

The church leaders in Jesus' day, and the church member who confronted you, did not know what they were talking about.

No, my friend, you did not break the commandment by giving needed assistance to someone in need. A member accusing you of such does not make it any more true than when the Pharisees accused Jesus of the same; it was still a false accusation.

In fact, Dan, you did exactly as Jesus would have in the same situation. In fact, I believe it would have been wrong of you if you had not helped and to have left her stranded; then you would have been like those who passed the man by who was lying on the side of the road until the Samaritan stopped and helped.

As Dennis Crabbe said:

Jesus said, "It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days" and spoke of lifting a sheep out of a pit (Matt. 12:11-12). When you stop to help a stranded motorist, you are not breaking the commandments but keeping them.
	quote: Dennis Crabbe

The following verse also comes to mind:

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
	James 4:17

-Dennis Borg

as to breaking the lettert, how so?
Was changing tires your daily employ?
If not, that excludes that part, especially if you weren't paid for doing it.
Was changing that tire a recreational activity for you?
If no, then you were not seeking your own selfish pleasure.
Did it some how draw you away from 'resting' in God?

I ask questions that seem to be facetious, but, I have been asked the same questions when I helped someone on Sabbath.
I am fortunate to have as head elder here in my home church, a very wise elderly man (98 years young) that put me at ease, he said that we aren't here to judge one another, it isn't our job.
Rather, we are here as 'fruit inspectors', the word of God says:Mt.7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

I submit you showed the fruit of the good tree when you did as you did, and the one that chastised you was the one that showed bad fruit, which the bible says comes from bad trees.
Just an observation, as I don't know the other.

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Examine me, O LORD, and prove me: try my reins and my heart. Ps.26:2
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in men.Ps.118:8

There was an indication of a belief of the existence of "technical" sin, working on a car on Sabbath, which under Christ's definition of what is appropriate on Sabbath was not "sin" in this instance. Is that an accurate description? I would suggest that there is no "technical" sin in existence now or ever. An action or thought or nonaction is either contrary to the principle of the two great commandments given by Christ or not contrary to that principle. If contrary to the principle, it is sin, if not, it is not sin. Is the "action" done in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? Is so, it is not sin, if it is not done in faith, it is sin. No cute little exceptions to sinful actions. Is it done in love and based on faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? Yes or no. Not an issue of does it fit within an exception to any command. What do you think?