LABOR TO ENTER GOD’S REST - Now!
Training into KNOWING GOD's WAYS (His Kingdom and Righteousness! = Matt.6:33)
Hebrews 4:10- For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
What is this rest that we are to labor for? There has been a day of rest since the creation of man when God rested from His works. There was also a place of rest that the Israelites were to enter immediately after they were delivered from Egyptian bondage by God, but they failed to enter in because of their unbelief.
The book of Hebrews tells of a rest where we cease from our own labors as God did from His. We know that God is still working in this world but it is a restful work.
This rest is not in the hereafter but in and for our lifetime. When we are born again Jesus gives us a rest from the penalty of sin that is death, but when we take His yoke and learn from Him we can find a deeper rest for our souls (Matt. 11:28, 29). This rest is a union with Him that knows it is no longer we that live but Christ in us (Gal. 2:20).
When one has entered His rest, he loses his own independence and exists only to bear the Fruit of His Spirit (Gal.5:22, 23), as a branch in a vine. In union, one has an inner witness of purity through the blood of Jesus that lets them know God is well pleased with them and therefore there is no more striving in life. Trials seem sweet because of an inner knowing that God is present in the midst of it waiting to give wisdom and comfort. Even in failure there is no condemnation because God knows the heart and uses it to reveal His forgiveness, love, mercy, and even ones weaknesses that bring repentance, transformation and dependence on Him. One comes to know that every pain and negative emotion (like hunger pains-John 6:56) is for a reason and learns to go to Christ for the answer; for many times He just wants us to know how He felt when He was rejected, forsaken, betrayed, persecuted, and crucified.
Coming to rest in Him lets one experience His Joy and Glory in the soul and Christ becomes his Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley, the Lover and Fulfiller of the soul and the Fountain of Living Water where one comes to drink continually and never thirsts. (John 6:35; 7:37, 38) - One learns to be content in whatever state he is in (2 Cor. 4:6-11).
In my own life, I wanted to know God intimately and I wanted to know I was 100% in HIS will. I felt led to pray, “Lord, take away anything in my life that keeps me from knowing You intimately and I want to know I am pleasing to You and in Your will completely. AMEN!”
A few weeks later my husband lost his airline job and we lost our house; as he could not find a job equal to it. For the first time in my life, I had an inner hope (2 Thes. 2:16,17; 1 Tim. 1:1) that knew this Hope was 100% God working in my life and a taste of HIS Glory now. This was the beginning of giving God my all; in order for Christ (His Spirit - John 14:16-18) to train (disciple) me.
Tomorrow we will see what this yoke of Christ is; as it is a continual learning from Him.