While it is true that God designated the Sabbath as a day of rest, world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham says people should also be mindful on using the seventh day to bond with their Creator.
"God knows we need rest, and one of the reasons he established the Sabbath was to give us rest. One of the Ten Commandments states, 'Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day ... you shall not do any work' (Deuteronomy 5:13-14)," Graham writes for The Kansas City Star.
But God did not create the Sabbath just for rest, says Graham, because it's God's plan for Christians "to turn [their] hearts and minds toward Him" also on that day.
"In other words, He wants us to set aside one day of the week as a special time of worship and reflection on God's Word. After all, if we ignore God on that day, when else are we likely to turn to him? We get busy and preoccupied with daily living and end up leaving God out of the picture," he says.
God's plan is very clear in the Bible verse Deuteronomy 5:12. It reads: "Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy."
The evangelist also wants people to reflect on what place God really has in their lives, and whether or not they celebrate Him only during Easter and Christmas.
Graham has nothing against people celebrating these two holidays, but he says it is wrong when it is only during these times that Christians remember God.
"Don't be a 'Christmas and Easter Christian' any longer, but by faith turn to Jesus Christ and put your life into His hands. Then ask Him to help you ... to follow Him and draw closer to Him every day," urges Graham.
