Question:
After coming home from meeting today I found out work had called–they were short-handed and needed help. Normally, I would head on in to help out, but today is Sunday, the Lord’s Day. Had to think about this one for a while—should I go in and help or stay at home? For the afternoon meeting we covered part of 1 John 3 and I remembered verse 17, “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion for him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” While it is not exactly in context it made me think I should go help. On the other hand, “Thou shalt keep the Sabbath holy” made me think I should stay. While we are not under law, to go into work might set a precedent and I likely would be asked to work on Sunday again. Also, to go in might make it seem like a day not set apart—common.
Now this is what I did do. Before picking up the phone I asked the Lord to have them not need me, otherwise I would go help. They ended up having enough workers, and so, did not need me.
Answer:
It should surely be our desire to be at every gathering of the local assembly, regardless of the day of the week on which we are gathered. Therefore it is good to be careful about making commitments that might hinder us from doing so. But what are we to do when we are not so gathered? As you said, we are not under law. Not only are we not under the law which came by Moses, but we are not to impose regulations upon ourselves of a law-like character (the “principle” of law). “Christ hath made us free” (Galatians 5:1). We should seek, therefore, to be “led of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:18) so that, “Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).