Diligence to Enter Rest

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest….. (Heb 4:11)

It seems strange that there is an indication that there is an exertion of body and mind or our totality to enter into rest. The word ‘rest’ does not indicate a place of ease or freedom from discomfort, pain or labor. Rest speaks of an abode or state of being. Rest is not letting go of responsibility and plunging into ‘blind’ faith. Faith is never blind, but rather true faith opens our eyes and heart to the unfurling of all of God’s promises and things previously hidden into living heavenly reality.

……. and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: (Heb 4:6)

What then is the place of rest or abiding look like? ‘Unbelief’ in the original Greek is disobedience or rebellion, which is the disqualification to enter into the place of abiding. The state of being through obedience is the place of standing on the ground of grace and God’s loving favor (Rom 5:2). Beyond His divine favor, the grace of God is an enabling power to live without the propensity to sin; not just being made free from sin but the ability not to go back to the former state (Rom 6:7, 11). Abiding is also the place of answered prayer (John 15:7) and love (John 15:10). Abiding is the place of being well pleased of the Father, not working to please. This is the position of utter security and love, a knowing that we know that we are loved and where all strife cease. Abiding is the place where God speaks His dividing Word into us (Heb 4:12), that we may be separated from death into life, from wrath into redemption, from enmity into son-ship. The word of invitation is open to one and all, is there an ear to hear and quickness in Spirit to obey to enter into God’s eternal realm, not when Christ returns, but beginning on this side of eternity. To enter into abiding in Christ we have to purpose that our total being to be subjected in unquestionable obedience to Christ.