REST FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD

REST FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD

So there remains a Sabbath rest ( the repose of Christianity as a type of Heaven, abode, rest ) for the people of God.

For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested ( from work, from toil from making an effort or occupation, by implication, an act, a deed, doing, labor ) from his works, as God did from His.

Therefore let us be diligent ( To make effort, be prompt or earnest, give diligence, be diligent, forward endeavor, labor, study ) to enter that rest, so that no one will fall (or fail ) through following the same example of disobedience.
( Hebrews 4:9-11 NAS)

(Obedience leads to rest, disobedience leads to unrest )

Words like, “diligent, labor, endeavor,” are words that don't usually imply rest. These words are to show us that there are some conditions that must be met before we can enter into this rest promised for the people of God.

Matthew Henry in his Commentary on the Whole Bible writes:
“This promise of spiritual rest is a promise left us by the Lord Jesus Christ in his last will and testament, as a precious legacy. Our business is to see to it that we be the legatees, that we lay our claim to that rest and freedom from the dominion of sin, Satan, and the flesh, by which the souls of men are kept in servitude and deprived of the true rest of the soul, and may be also set free from the yoke of the law and all the toilsome ceremonies and services of it, and may enjoy peace with God in his ordinances and providences, and in our own consciences, and so have the prospect and earnest of perfect and everlasting rest in heaven.”

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” ( Jeremiah 29: 13 )

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” ( Matthew 7:7 )

Hebrews 4:8 says, “For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that.”

Joshua and had some battles to win before the people of Israel would enter into the promised rest. He had the promise of rest, but the enemies had to be conquered first before they could settle in the promised land.
Just like Joshua and the Israelites, we have a promise of rest, but we need to deal with the issues that are apposing our rest.

1.The first enemy we need to overcome is sin.
We will never know peace or rest until we deal with sin in our lives. We are all sinners facing judgment because we were born in sin. We inherited it like an incurable disease that was passed down to us from Adam and Eve, and there is only one cure, it is Jesus, and His shed blood which paid the price for our souls.
Jesus took our judgment upon Himself and redeemed us, restored us, and made us acceptable to God.
So to overcome the first enemy that is apposing our rest starts with receiving the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. ( see Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9-10, John 3:16-17 )

2.The second enemy we need to overcome is all that is in the world.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith. ( 1John 5:4 )

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. ( 1John 2:16 )

We can see that the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and pride are the things that are in the world that they are peace and rest robbers. These can be overcome as we set our minds on things above, on the things of God.
( Colossians 3:1-2 )

A. Overcoming the lust of the eye and the lust of the flesh.

“Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh (corrupt nature ), indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” ( Ephesians 2:3 )

“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” ( Galatians 5;1 )

In other words we stop letting the lust of the eye and the lust of the flesh dominate our lives. When we cease to live in these lust, are living by the Spirit direction, then we will experience a rest and peace in our souls.

B. Overcoming the Devil which produces the pride of life in people.

In which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. ( Ephesians 2:2 )

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ( Ephesians 6:12 )
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. ( 1John 4:4 )

The enemy sows pride into a soul and causes people to think they can live without God, that they are god's unto themselves. This is what some one is doing when they reject Christ. There is no peace or rest for those who have not overcome the lies of the enemy. The Word of God in John 8:32 says, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Conclusion:
Once we have found victory over all our enemies, then we will find our rest in our souls just like Joshua and the people of Isreal did when the finally settled in the conquered land which God had given them.

Jesus said,“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."( Matthew 16:33 )

Yes there is some battles to be won to enter into the promised rest for the people of God. But we are able to overcome these enemies of the soul, find victory, and discover this promised rest as we take simple steps of obedience, and trusting in the power of God that is our source and our victory.

Prayer:

Father God help us to understand this truth about the rest that you have promised four us as the children of God. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; "My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” ( John 14:27 )
Father help us to understand that there are some hurtles that we will need to conquer if we are going to experience the promised rest. That is why we are instructed to labor and strive to enter into the rest. Father you have not left this up to us entirely, but we have the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God, and we also have authority in the name of Jesus to find our full victory. Praise be to the LORD who leads us in glorious victory. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.