REST HEBREWS 4

The writer of the Hebrews wrote, “There remains, therefore, a rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9 NKJV). For many, the concept of rest is a mystery, an unattainable goal ladened with questions. The writer to the Hebrews affirms the attainability of a rest. It is a rest that is not automatic, expected, or the result of entitlement but a rest achieved through the conscious effort of the believer. What is this rest as described by the writer of Hebrews, and how is obtained?

REST IS PROMISED, AND WE SHOULD FEAR MISSING IT

Believers resist fear, knowing that fear doesn’t come from God. Many are left unable to discern unnecessary fear, which originates in the kingdom of this world from a healthy fear that comes in response to a holy God. The statement is true; fear is not God’s intent for us. The unfortunate reality is that many of us live outside the perfect intention of our creator. Fear is a human response to perceived risk. It is a gift from God to our humanity that reminds us of our limitations and frailty. The writer of Hebrews explicitly warns the Christian of the danger of missing God’s intended rest due to rejection of God’s word.

Paul proposes a question to us when he says, “How can they believe in the one they have not heard” (Romans10:14). Later, Paul says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). It is the encouragement to fulfill our evangelistic mandate. It might lead one to believe that the simple hearing of the word of God will automatically produce a product of faith. Our responsibility is to provide the opportunity to hear God’s word, but the listener is not without obligation. Whether the one listening is a seasoned believer or part of the world’s many unreached people groups, the recipient must be listening with the purpose of hearing.

Rest and faith have an unexpected connection that directly results from our response to the word of God. Hearing to hear creates a mixing of faith with the word of God that produces rest. A mere hearing will not foster a profitable faith.

THE ENEMY OF FAITH IS UNBELIEF

The subject of unbelief is the word of God. Unbelief has a source, and the uncovering of causality is necessary for solving the problem of unbelief. Modern Christianity realizes the validity of spiritual warfare and quickly identifies the potential spiritual cause of natural issues. The Bible speaks of a “spirit of unbelief.” The spirit of unbelief is not a tactical assault of the devil but the product of allowing the earthly worldview to exalt itself above God’s knowledge in the Christian’s soul.

Belief in God’s word cannot be selective. The term “cart” is often used for a holding place in the online purchase process. Desired items are selected. The shopper can adjust the cart up and down until the time of purchase. Belief in God’s word doesn’t provide the flexibility of the online purchase process. Belief in God’s word depends on accepting the entirety of God’s word. Selectivity in receiving God’s word moves us into a category of unbelief that will disqualify us from God’s intended rest.

The problem of unbelief extends beyond the concept of rest to a more significant issue of fracture or relationship in the believer’s unity with God. Jesus prayed for the church, saying, “I have given them your word.” The implication to the believer was the transfer of kingdom residence from the kingdom of this world to the kingdom of God. Adoption into the family of God creates an adversarial relationship with the kingdom of this world. The sanctifying power of the word of God, the truth, further widens the gap between the believer and the domain of the world. The intent of this adoption into the family of God is that we might mirror the unity of the relationship between God and Jesus, that “they may be one, as we are one.” God intends that there would be no division between our relationship with God as there is no division between the relationship of God and Jesus.

BELIEVING LEADS TO FAITH WHICH RESULTS IN REST

Many tend to associate the rest spoken of by the writer to the Hebrews with a state of physical rest or a sabbath rest. The rest spoken of by the writer of Hebrews is a present and future rest which is the result of living in active obedience to the word of God. Living in active obedience requires a submission to the instruction of the word of God, which values the resulting rest more significantly than the potential satisfaction of the flesh.

Earlier, we stated unbelief creates a fracture in the relationship between God and the believer. Unbelief also fractures a believer’s mind, resulting in a divided mind. A divided mind is unstable, wavering, and prone to reasoning. James states that a double-minded person should not suppose they would receive anything from God (James 1:7).

Faith is a necessity in the Christian’s endeavor to please God. Faith is supernatural and characteristic of one adopted into the family of God. The miraculous exchange in the new creation’s spirit in Christ translates the person from being “in the flesh” to “in the spirit.” It is impossible for those who have their state of being “in the flesh” to please God.

REST IS YOUR CHOICE

If rest is readily available to the child of God, why would so few describe themselves as living in the rest provided by God? Rest is a choice of faith, a product of obedience. Active faith and obedience cultivate rest. Rest needs to be tended and cared for as a farmer would his crops. A seed planted in the ground does not provide immediate yield but one to come. Harvested crops offer nourishment for the present and future for years to come. Obedience and faith produce a result with a purpose for current and future generations.

Sennacherib’s servants proclaimed the testimony of Hezekiah’s obedience to God in the destruction of the high places, restoring worship to the one true God. As Sennacherib was threatening the people of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 32), Hezekiah had a choice to yield to the enemy of his people or to yield to God. Surrendering to God was Hezekiah’s decision. Depend on the truth of the word of God was his action plan. Hezekiah declared, “With us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles” (2 Chronicles 32:8).

Obedience is viewed by many as a burden. Somehow obedience is equated to servitude, with the assumption of a negative outcome. For the Christian, adherence is far better than sacrifice and is the choice that leads to rest. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29,30). The beam of servitude is a beam of balance, allowing the follower of Christ to rest in the overshadowing of God’s presence.

Rest is promised to those who mix faith with the word of God. Take that first step closer to the rest portioned for you by submitting yourself in obedience to the God who cares for you. Rest.