Enter the Rest

“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” (Hebrews 4:2 NKJV)

Warning! This is a warning that all Christians shall take careful heed to the gospel and act by faith. The gospel of God has been preached to all nations. It is good news to all peoples on earth that anyone accepts it has life in which there is no darkness and confusion but light in full. The good news of great joy is that there is a God who cares of humans, even giving up His begotten Son on the cross. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 NKJV)

The fruits of those who received the gospel are incomparably profitable and beneficiary like overflowing love, unadulterated peace, and continual joy in the lives not only this age but the ages to come. Christ lives in us and we in Him as God promised in the scriptures.

There is only one condition to multiply the fruits though. Faith in Christ profits us. Faith is not knowledge only but with deed. For example, the people of Israel were redeemed by the blood of lamb on the Passover and crossed the Red Sea. They had to completely rely on the word of God to be saved from the angel of death. When they did obey Moses, they were saved. When God opened a way through the Red Sea, they walked as in dry land by faith. Since they were saved only through obedience to the word of God and walked away from the bondage of slavery by faith, they were told to continue walk in the faith on the same basis in the wilderness.

But they did not take heed how they were saved and walked away from the slavery but hardened their hearts. Inevitably, no profit benefited them at all throughout forty years of wilderness life. They did not take rest in God who abundantly demonstrated His care and love in wonders and signs. Instead, they wanted God to do what they wanted. That’s not faith at all. Faith is obedience to God and what He wants us to do. Some may say God is a tyrant. But that is a lie. Humans can find rest in no other place than in God. So, Jesus invites faithfully, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon youand 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 11:28-30 NKJV)

There are only two choices lie ahead of all—obedience or disobedience. There is no grey area. Continue to walk in love, joy, and peace not by might but by faith. The regenerated can obey God because Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Therefore, the Scripture says, “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:11 NKJV)