In a world that never slows down, where schedules are packed and expectations are high, rest can feel like a distant dream. But from the beginning, God established a pattern—a rhythm of work and rest—for our good. The Salvation Army upholds this Biblical principle as a necessary practice that allows us to worship, give thanks, and be renewed.
The idea of a Sabbath is not man-made; it is part of God’s original design. Genesis 2:2-3 tells us that after creating the heavens and the earth, God rested. He set apart a day for rest, not because He needed it, but to show us that we do. Later, in Exodus 20:8-11, the fourth commandment calls God’s people to observe the Sabbath as a holy day. When Jesus walked the earth, He reinforced this principle. He reminded people that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). The day of rest was never meant to be a burden—it was a gift, providing space to pause from daily work, focus on God, and care for others.
As people called to both worship and serve, Salvationists are encouraged to keep the Sabbath principle in mind. Within this historical Christian context, The Salvation Army holds that:
- Sunday is ‘a day of sacred assembly’ (Leviticus 23:3) for corporate worship, praise, and prayer. It is meant to enrich the lives of believers and strengthen their fellowship with God and one another. It is also an opportunity for families, friends, and worshipping congregations to gather.
- Sunday is a time of resting in God, a time to step away from the anxieties and challenges of life. As Jesus reminds us, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). Rest is not a weakness; it is a necessary part of being human.
- Keeping Sunday holy is not just about avoiding work but about dedicating the day to God. This includes worship, prayer, and acts of love and kindness toward others. Jesus cautioned against a rigid, legalistic approach to the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; Mark 3:4; Luke 13:10-17; John 5:1-15). The focus should always be on honouring God and serving others.
- Observing Sunday as a day of rest is an act of reverence toward God, our Creator (Exodus 20:8-11). It is a reminder that our lives are not just about work and achievement but about relationship—with God and with those around us.
The demands of modern life make it easy to push rest aside. But as Salvationists, we can take intentional steps to uphold this Biblical principle:
- Make worship a priority. Attending corporate worship on Sundays strengthens our faith, refreshes our spirit, and keeps us connected to the body of Christ.
- Protect time for rest and renewal. While responsibilities may vary, everyone needs moments of spiritual and physical refreshment.
- Support those who must work on Sundays. Some people, including those in essential services, cannot avoid Sunday work. The Salvation Army encourages multiple opportunities for worship and renewal throughout the week.
- Live out Sabbath principles beyond Sunday. The Sabbath is not just about stopping work; it is about trusting God, serving others, and making space for gratitude and worship.
- A Call to Action
The fast pace of life today makes it easy to ignore the need for rest. But God designed us to function best when we take time to pause, worship, and be renewed. Sabbath is not just about stopping. It is about resetting—finding strength, peace, and joy in God’s presence so that we can serve Him better.
The Salvation Army’s Positional Statement on Sabbath Observance can be found at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/cache.salvationarmy.org/ecfde149-1878-49b9-b932-42ae91cfaf21_English+Sabbath+Observance+IPS.pdf