<> Ask the Pastor The Rev'd Walter Snyder After being overwhelmed for a time with the number of questions, the well is almost dry. This being the case, I invite the readers to consider submitting questions of enough general interest that I might use them in upcoming columns. However, I'm not quite out of things to write, so off we go with this week's questions. Q: I know about grace and the freedom that we have in Christ but it seems a little on the silly side to adopt new festivals and Sabbath days (especially when they have pagan influences) when Jehovah Himself gave Sabbath days and festival days in the Old Testament for his people to adhere to. What are your views on this? I understand that salvation comes through faith but what of growing? What of "obedience is better than sacrifice"? A: I've spoken before of Sabbath, but your questions come from a slightly different angle. I don't think it "silly" to adopt new festivals and "Sabbaths," since the old have passed away in Christ. He is our Sabbath rest and any observances by his Church are centered in him. The Lord (Yahweh in Hebrew, Jehovah in some translations) gave certain observances to Israel that they might keep their focus on what he had done for them. Since all the Sabbaths and other festivals and observances of the old Covenant pointed to the coming Messiah, they are fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. All New Testament and post-Biblical times and seasons of special focus, be they Sunday, Christmas, the Resurrection, or whatever else, likewise are rooted and grounded in Christ. By and large, the Christian Church has chosen to use Sunday as the day of coming together to maintain focus upon Christ's death and resurrection. The other days, with the seasons of the Church Year, are observed with the idea of remembering what it is that Jesus Christ has done for us in living a perfect life, bearing our sins, suffering, dying, and rising again. As for "growing," I assume that you mean "growing in faith" or "growing in righteousness." This also comes through faith--or better yet, as a gift of God to believers. We cannot grow anything good in and of ourselves; it is only through God's grace that change and growth occur. A difficult teaching of the Bible is that by grace through faith in Christ we are not only saved, but also perfected. God does not count us at being 3 percent or 50 percent or 90 percent perfect. He sees us as he sees his son, whose righteousness we wear. Thus, we are as beautiful and perfect in the Father's eyes as is his beloved Jesus. On an earthly, "practical" level, however, the garments of righteousness we wear (cf. the wedding clothes of which Jesus speaks) are not a perfect fit. We are still babes or little children. Christ nourishes us with his Gospel and Supper so that we "grow into" that which we already possess and are. This is one of the many paradoxes of salvation that makes perfect sense to God but which we humans find so confusing. Finally, you ask that we compare obedience with sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3 (RSV) says, "To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." So also Hosea 6:6 says, "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings." The new obedience is the direct result of the activity of the Holy Spirit in believers' hearts and minds. It is a response to the forgiveness of sins won by Christ, delivered through the Gospel, and applied by the Holy Spirit. In actuality, obedience is our new sacrifice, since there is no more sacrifice for sins. Thus, when Peter writes, "Offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 2:5)" he continues by giving concrete examples of what these sacrifices are. Included are living a moral life, obeying the government, wives submitting to their husbands' headship, husbands living considerately with their wives and bestowing honor upon them. He concludes this section by saying, "Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9)" The Christian realizes that he cannot offer a "sacrifice" that exceeds that already offered on his behalf. The death of Christ on Calvary is our propitiation. His blood covers all our sins. Thus, our so-called sacrifices are thank-offerings. They honor the One who gave himself completely for our redemption and the Father who sent him. All that you do in living an honest, chaste, decent life will do nothing to improve your standing in God's eyes. However, it bears testimony to the world even as it praises him. That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1998 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.