A Call To The Remnant

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God

Now some may say that the rest that remains for us, that is spoken of in Hebrews chapter four, is the eternal rest after we have departed this world. We are told in verse 11 that he who enters such a rest has ceased from his own works, but then in verse 11 it states that we are to ‘labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”  It sounds a bit confusing, what are we to make of it? Is it the sabbath rest? Is it the eternal rest? Is it both somehow? How can we cease from our own works and at the same time labor to enter in?

The Lord has made a way for us to enter into His rest in this world. No longer is “one day holy,” but every day is holy to the saints. It is not just one day that is holy, but every day, for our whole lives are dedicated to God in the reality of the relationship He forged for us at Calvary. We are new creatures in Christ, behold all things are new. The Spirit of the Living God dwells in every single genuine saint. He teaches us, He leads us and He guides us. He enables us through Calvary and the Blood of the Lamb to come before the throne of grace. He enables us to come into His presence. To renew our strength and and run and not grow weary. He is our rest. He is our eternal rest and He is our rest here on earth. This word labor means to be diligent. Just as the Word tells us in Heb 11:6 that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

In order to diligently seek Him you must humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will raise you up. You must be obedient to His word and abide in it. You must take up your cross daily. You must love, you must forgive, you must never be ashamed of the Gospel, you must not deny your Lord by your words of by your deeds. You must put on the full armor of God. You must endure. You must suffer, you must overcome. This, and much more is the diligence that leads to your reward, His presence and walking in it. Remember from the psalm as the deer panteth for the waterbrooks so my soul longeth after thee. If the dear is panting, then the deer has been diligently searching for quite a while. The deer is thirsty and determined to find living waters. Are you thirsty? Are you panting to enter in? There is such a place saints. Paul had learned to be content in every situation. The same Spirit that abided in Paul abides in you. There is rest to be found in Jesus now and then there shall be an eternal rest.  They are both the same thread.