I just started reading From Sabbath to Lord’s Day (edited by D.A. Carson) in preparation for a class paper on the Sabbath. I actually began reading it in a Regis Salon waiting for a haircut, but that story is for another time…
What I found in Carson’s introduction was quite beautiful, and impressed me to share:
Some Christian to the Lord regard a day,
And others to the Lord regard it not;
Now, though these seem to choose a diff’rent way,
yet both, at last, to one same point are brought.
He that regards the day will reason thus-
“This glorious day our Saviour and our King
Perform’d some mighty act of love for us;
Observe the time in mem’ry of the thing.”
Thus he to Jesus point his kind intent,
And offers prayers and praises in his name;
As to the Lord above his love is meant,
The Lord accepts it; and who dare to blame?
For, though the shell indeed is not the meat,
‘Tis not rejected when the meat’s within;
Though superstition is a vain conceit,
Commemoration surely is no sin.
He also, that to days has no regard,
The shadows only for the substance quits;
Towards the Saviour’s presence presses hard,
And outward things through eagerness omits.
For warmly to himself he thus reflects-
“My Lord alone I count my chiefest good;
All empty forms my craving soul rejects,
And seeks the solid riches of his blood.
“All days and times I place my sole delight
In him, the only object of my care;
External shows for his dear sake I slight,
Lest ought but Jesus my respect should share.”
Let not th’ observer, therefore, entertain
Against his brother any secret grudge;
Nor let the non-observer call him vain;
But use his freedom, and forbear to judge.
Thus both may bring their motives to the test;
Ourcondescending Lord will both approve.
Let each pursue the way that likes him best;
he cannot walk amiss, that walks in love.
by Joseph Hart (1712-1768)
as quoted in From Sabbath to Lord’s Day: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Investigation, edited by D.A. Carson, Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Enjoy the poem and the freedom we share in Christ.
03/4/2006 at 22:34
Dude, that poem like so totally rocks. I think it’s pretty clear that the author, while obediently and brilliantly respectful of his weaker brothers, is clearly on the stronger brother side of the issue!
03/5/2006 at 16:49
Perhaps you are right. Guided by your view of Paul’s opinion in Rom 14, do you think one must be the stronger brother to write clearly concerning both sides?
don’t despise me man.
Lord willing we’ll get to talk about me not judging, eh?
it seems love covers over a multitude of sins and ignorance.
03/5/2006 at 17:30
Dude, surely you know I don’t despise you. Now if you refused to drink scotch with me I might be _tempted_ to despise you, but I still wouldn’t.
But N.B., the letter of the law says I can’t despise my brother, it says nothing about not teasing him. Truly love covers a multitude of sins!
03/6/2006 at 7:50
lol. let it be known that I have not refused the scotch! but neither have I attempted, so if the Lord tarries long enough…
surely you know that I know you don’t despise me! I was just making reference to you as the stronger brother of Rom. 14.
02/6/2009 at 2:33
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