Hebrews 4:1-13 - Rest is Active

“Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.” - ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Remember when we see “therefore” in the Bible, we need to ask ourselves, what’s it there for? To get that information, we have to go backward before we go forwards. This opening of the chapter carried on the same thought in Hebrews 3 that unbelief kept the generation that escaped Egypt from entering Canaan. This promise from the Old Testament still stands, the promise of entering God’s Rest. 

“For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.” - ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is where it gets fascinating to me, seeing some things that I just have not seen before. The promise remains of entering God’s rest, and we can enter into that rest by faith. Unbelief will make us fall short of the rest God has for us. Let’s think about that and personalize this for a moment. As a Christ-follower, I must process, and I ask you to process, our unbelief causes us to fall short of the rest God has for us. But we believe, right? 

Let’s connect God’s rest and unbelief. What causes us to fall short of God’s rest; worry, anxiety, stress, uncertainty, etc., etc. Living in a COVID-19 world, are you worried, stressed, uncertain? These are things of this world that are causing us to miss God’s rest. Are you stressed about your job, income, retirement, college funding, and so on and so forth? These are things that are causing us to miss God’s rest. These are things of this world that are producing unbelief! How can we truly believe and have full faith in Christ alone if we worried, stressed, and leaning on our understanding? 

“Therefore, since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” - ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today is the day to enter obedience, to step fully into faith and to place our daily, and moment by moment, trust in God. But there is a twist; this is not a passive exercise. This verse tells us that we must make every effort to enter that rest. 

“Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.” - ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This sounds like work! Make every effort to enter that rest... Yes, it is work; it does take effort the place our trust and faith actively in God’s hands. This is the work that is worth it, that has a significant payoff, a payoff that far exceeds any monetary payoff we could ever receive. This is an excellent reminder for us.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” - ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We will be held accountable for our obedience, our faith, putting our full trust in God. God’s rest is a beautiful place to live. This place of rest is not a single day in the week; this place is the abundance and love of God. Not because God loves us, but because God is love. God’s nature is love; it is not something He does; it is who he is. 

Finally, more around how to do this. How to place our full trust and faith in God. 

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” - ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The word of God is alive and active. Do not just place this as the Bible as the word of God. If we do that, we are limiting what the Scriptures teach us, and the fullness of what is in store for us. Remember the Gospel of John and the opening. 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭1:1-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God is in all things, and He is the creator of all, and nothing was made apart from Him. The word of God is alive because it is God, active, and breathing. God is refining us, He is the double-edged sword, slicing away what needs to be cut from us. God exposes the word of God, Christ, Jesus' life, these expose our weaknesses and draws us to the central power that comes from resting in God. 

Today, today is the day to place our trust and faith in God actively. Following Jesus or raising our hand to follow God is not a one and done action, it is so much more than saying one time yes. Following Jesus is a consistent, daily, active faith to step into His rest.