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them freely, revealing them for the `weak and beggarly' things they are and showing that
the areas in which they had held sway were mere shadows of the reality to be found in
Himself (Col. 2: 15). Let no man `pick you out' in respect of shadows.
A few verses later (Col. 2: 20) Paul questions their subjection to ordinances,
according to the precepts and teachings of men. This, surely, is the crux of the matter. It
is wrong for the believer to be subject to the opinions of men, and unthinkingly to adopt a
course of action or a way of life, simply because other people, albeit other Christians, `lay
down the law' on the matter. There is the danger that members of Christ's Body may err
by going from the extreme of "thou shalt not" to "thou shalt" and vice versa, thereby
equally becoming `subject to ordinances according to the precepts and teachings of men'.
We are free `with the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free'; free to do the will of
God. We are freed from the bondage of the sabbath law, or the first day of the week: the
fact that there is the possibility of choice on this point indicates the bondage has been
removed.
But what should be our attitude to `Sunday observance'? We have already seen that
`man appears to be made on what we may call the seven day principle', and thus needs,
physically one day's rest in seven: is it not equally true that he may need a similar
opportunity for his spirit? 100: H. Welch has this to say (Just and the Justifier, p.316):
"While the believer today may not be in danger of judging or despising so far as
`meats' are concerned, there are many who adopt the attitude here condemned (Rom.14:)
regarding the observance of the so-called `Lord's Day'. Those of us who are free from
the tradition concerning the observance of either the Sabbath or the First Day of the
Week, should remember that we are called upon to respect the consciences of those who,
though `weak', `regard the day unto the Lord'. It is not the first part of this sentence that
matters, it is the second part: `unto the Lord'."
Following his discourse on the question of meats and the observance of `days' in
Rom. 14:, Paul continues in chapter 15: thus:
"We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please
ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even
Christ pleased not Himself . . . . .".
Again in Volume XI, p.27, of The Berean Expositor, C.H.W. says:
"We are bound to observe no day in particular (this does not give license to outrage
other believers' feelings concerning Sunday) but gladly seek to walk worthy before the
Lord and our fellows."
We have dealt at some length with the Fourth Commandment because we believe this
to be an issue of particular relevance in the days in which we live. The way in which we
treat Sunday can have a great influence upon our witness as believers.
Passing on, then, to the Fifth Commandment: "Honour thy father and thy mother", we
find the Apostle Paul makes specific reference to this in Eph. 6: 1-3 and Col. 3: 20
and it is worth noting his comment in the former: "which is the first commandment with
promise". So also the comment in Col. 3: 20 should be noted: "for this is well pleasing