"Our little group is no more so we keep the Sabbath at home. We usually listen to a couple sermons. Our grandson is playing football and has six games about an hour long on Saturday mornings. Is it "doing your own pleasure " to go watch?"
This a good question. I will try to answer it from the scriptures which are given to us by God and found in his word regarding the Sabbath.
We all have or will have come face to face with a decision that will test our faith, conversion and commitment to keep God’s laws. For true believers who are trying to worship God in spirit and truth in today’s society it is especially difficult when our children or grandchildren are involved. Wanting to make exceptions for our children and grandchildren is especially tough.
Our world system today is set against God and the true worship of his ways of love toward God and our fellowman. God has placed us in this world to be lights and examples to others especially those of our immediate families. God wants to see if we are going to hold fast to the beliefs he has given us and our calling.
The Sabbath is truly a test commandment and one with which Satan loves to test our resolve and commitment to keeping God’s way. We must remember that while the tests are difficult the rewards are truly amazing if we can hold the line and stay true to God.
Let’s review some of the scriptures regarding the observance of the Sabbath:
Isaiah 58:13
“If you turn your foot away from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord, honorable and shall honor him not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure nor doing your own ways.”
Mat 10:37
“He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
Exodus 31:13.
“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Truly you shall keep My Sabbaths, for the keeping of God’s Sabbaths is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations to know that I am the LORD Who sanctifies you.
14. You shall keep the Sabbath therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone that defiles it shall surely be put to death, for whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.”
Mark 2: 27-28
” And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath;
Therefore, the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
We can see that God made this day specially for man to have a relationship with him on this day. It is made holy by God’s presence in the Sabbath day. He wants you to join him in worship and fellowship with him and others he has called. He is a jealous God and wants us to not be doing our own pleasures and activities on this day.
The Sabbath is a test commandment and can be a challenge especially when those we love are wanting us to be involved in their lives on the Sabbath day.
There are other ways to show support to your Grandson and not take time from God. For example, have the event recorded and schedule quality time on Sunday or another scheduled time with family to watch his game. Your Grandson can give a play by play account of his game and his involvement in it.
Having said all this, the bottom line is that it is up to you whether or not you chose to go to the game on the Sabbath day.
One last principle regarding this questions is found in Romans 14:23
Romans 14:23 “And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
Remember, The ultimate and final chose is up to you!
Sincerely