I WANT to take the opportunity to address some of the comments Mr Earl made regarding Sunday trading. (Letters, June 13).
Space does not permit me to handle all of his comments. He made the point that a Sunday market wouldn't stop anyone going to church. Going to church only forms part of our duties on the Sabbath Day.
The whole point in this Day is emphasised in the fourth commandment. God says, 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work.' Ex.20.8,9.
This day has been set apart from the six normal working days in the week for the things of God – going to church is part of that. It should be marked with a cessation of normal weekly activities, except for acts of necessity and mercy and used for the sake of our spiritual and physical wellbeing.
To swing open the doors of the market for trading on that day will only serve to mar the whole significance of this day. There are many, of course, who simply do not recognise this day. It is my duty, however, as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ to draw the attention of everyone to His day.
If the council and the public have made their decision to carry on through Sunday as they please then we must warn them that they are breaking God's law and those who are bent on doing so will have to bear the consequences of their sin. God often lets us do as we please but never without warnings. These warnings, however, are not without offers of mercy.
The Lord Jesus Christ bore the punishment of sin in His own body on the cross for sinners and if anyone comes to Him just as they are He will save them from their sin. (Free tapes dealing with the Sabbath available from the manse).
The Rev Philip Kyle
The Manse
31 Anderton Court, Whitchurch