The writer of Hebrews made it clear that God wants us all to enter into His rest. And He has made this rest available for everyone. Sadly many will not find its entrance.
For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. Hebrews 4:3
God originally spoke of His entering into rest after the completion of creating the heavens and the earth. On the seventh day, God rested.
We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” Hebrews 4:4
Verse 1 of this chapter says that God’s promise of entering his rest still stands. It’s never been taken away. He warned the readers though that some of them won’t experience it.
For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. Hebrews 4:2
God Promised the Israelites a Place of Rest
Even when God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He promised them a place of rest. He offered them rest from a life of slavery and from wandering through the desert.
Maybe you’ve heard the story. God called Moses to lead the nation of Israel out of their bondage and into the promised land.
But after plagues against the Egyptians and miracles for the Israelites, they were on their way. Verse 6, however, tells us why an entire generation never saw that land.
So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. Hebrews 4:6
We have the benefit of learning from this wonderful illustration of God guiding Israel to their land of rest. So, how can we enter into the rest He’s offered to us?
So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”Hebrews 4:7
Are You Ready to Enter Into His Rest?
As long as it is “today,” we can enter into His rest. When we cease to see another “today,” it will be too late. And according to today’s verse, it’s only for those who believe.
To “believe” is much more than a thought entering someone’s mind. You see, God, by His grace, offered salvation as a free gift. By faith in Jesus, we can accept His free gift.
On the day we receive His gift of salvation, we become freed from the penalty of sin. And through obedience to His word, we’ll experience His eternal rest.
So when we enter into His rest, what exactly are we resting from? Even though our salvation is free, it comes with responsibilities. The Bible calls them our labors.
For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. Hebrews 4:10
There seems to be a complacent attitude among many Christians today. Once they say yes to Christ, they feel they can just sit back and wait for the trumpet sound.
God is looking for laborers. He’s called us to action. To be runners not riders, workers, and not watchers, givers instead not takers, and swimmers as opposed to floaters.
The Christian’s Responsibility
Jesus discussed our responsibilities when He spoke to His disciples about the harvest.
He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:37-38
Attending church is vitally beneficial but Christianity must go beyond church attendance.
In church, we learn how to follow Jesus. Outside the walls, we put it into practice.
So, the bottom line means we must our lives in obedience to the Lord. Then we can enter into His rest.
So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall. Hebrews 4:11
Lord, we pray “today” for the energy, wisdom, and know-how to labor for your kingdom.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Christian Perspectives
Featured Image by Dan Meyers on Unsplash
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