Exodus 31.12-17

And the LORD said to Moses, ^“You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you. You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

Failing to honor the Lord’s Day makes one liable for church discipline. That is, if his church practices discipline. If we will not discipline those who violate the Lord’s Day – first, with an admonition, then, that failing, suspension from the sacrament, and, finally, excommunication – we will have no grounds to discipline anyone for any offense.

Now that sounds harsh, but remember, church discipline is merely a reflection of the Lord’s discipline, which He brings on those He loves in order to direct them in the path of righteousness. Church discipline is not a form of angry, judgmental punishment, but of loving, firm correction (Heb. 12.3-11).

God’s love is waiting to renew us each Lord’s Day. When we despise His day and use it for our purposes, we hurt ourselves, as well as any others who, following our example, may cut themselves off from God’s love by failing to remember and guard His day.