Sunday, December 9, 2012

Labor to Enter the Rest, and God Labors Over the Rest

"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4: 11)

Jesus Christ is our Rest:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28)

Literally, Jesus says "I will rest you." He is the Sabbath rest that the writer of Hebrews comments on:

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

"For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his." (Hebrews 4: 9-10)

We can rest because all the works to be done have been laid down for us:

"For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world." (Hebrews 4: 3)

Jesus Himself declared that in Him all thins are Finished:

"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. " (John 19: 30)

By His taking our place, we are made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21). By His stripes we are healed (1 Peter 2: 24). By His poverty, we are made rich
(2 Corinthians 8: 9). Everything has been laid out for us.

We do not work for the things which He freely gives us (Romans 8: 31-32), for who are we to despise the riches of His grace, which has purged us from our sins (2 Peter 1: 9) and His blood keeps cleansing us (1 John 1: 7).

Jesus told us to make His reign in us the most important thing:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. " (Matthew 6: 33)

Let us labor to enter His Rest, and He will labor over the rest of our lives!

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