Is it a sin if we do not keep the Sabbath day?
That’s the question a group of college students from Eastern Kentucky University debated with evangelist Nicholas Bowling. While the Sabbath is a good thing to provide us with rest and rejuvenation, there is danger in becoming too legalistic about how we do things. At the heart of this debate is not just the “when” we should observe the Sabbath, but also the “why” and the “how.”
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One of the students pointed out that stealing and worshiping other gods are clearly recognized as sins—so why isn’t breaking the Sabbath treated the same way, since it is the fourth commandment? She argued that since God sanctified the seventh day (Saturday) in Genesis before people even existed, the Sabbath was created for humanity.
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However, Bowling pointed to the words and actions of Jesus, who often healed and allowed His disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath. Religious leaders accused Jesus of breaking Sabbath law, but He replied, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath,” (Mark 2:27-28).
Bowling’s statement points out the difference between legalism and relationship with God. Jesus fulfilled the Law, including Sabbath observance, and redefined its purpose—highlighting the heart behind it. It’s not about following rules for the sake of rules, but about rest and connection with the heavenly Father.
The apostle Paul further supports this in Colossians 2:16-17: “Let no one judge you… regarding a Sabbath… which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” The Sabbath, then, is a spiritual gift, not a legal obligation.
While some of the students questioned why Sunday worship became the norm when it isn’t commanded in Scripture, Bowling pointed out how the early church met daily to teach and preach about Jesus. The Sabbath provides great benefits for us, however believers shouldn’t judge others for how they observe it. What matters most is the heart posture of honoring God.
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The Sabbath is still a gift—an invitation to rest and worship. But under the new covenant, believers are called to freedom, not ritual. As Jesus demonstrated, the greater Law is love—and that includes how we approach the Sabbath.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
