Hebrews 4:1-13 Monday, 10 January 2022
Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall according to the same example of unbelief. -Hebrews 4:11
The book of Hebrews highlights Jesus Christ as the better sacrifice, better than the Prophets, Angels, Moses, Joshua, Aaron and the earthly high priest!! In today’s reading, the reference is about rest - Joshua could not give true rest to his people the way Christ would give it. The rest that remains for the people of God is Rest in Christ and eternal rest in the next life. The Holy Spirit exhorts us to not to fall like the way the Israelites did in the O.T (v1) and warns us to enter into rest by faith and not by works (Vs.10, 11).
Let’s look into the aspect of Rest spoke here:
FEARING
"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it" (V.1):- The verse is an exhortation to be diligent lest we should fail like children of God did. The Lord had brought them out of slavery from Egypt and led them wonderfully through the wilderness with His mighty hands. God says in Exodus 19:4: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.” After all these marvelous works they saw and heard from the Lord, the word preached to them did not profit them (V.2)- their unbelief prevented them from entering the Promised Land- Canaan
The promise of Eternal life is clearly written throughout the word of God but still the evil heart of unbelief leads man to depart from the living God. (Heb.3:12).
A child of God is born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever (1Peter1:23). Being Saved or baptized does not guarantee him/her to enter into the Promised land unless he/she faithfully follows the word of God- not only hearing/reading the word of God but it has to becomes a part of our life. James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…
LABORING
“Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” (V.11):- In 1Corinthians10, Apostle Paul briefs us about unbelief and the wrongdoing of the Israelites. As children of God we must be conscious that God hates sin. In V.11 the Holy Spirit is warning Christians that one has to be diligent to enter into rest. Salvation is received freely through faith in Jesus Christ but it should become a continuing process. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;” (Phil.2:13).
To work out our salvation, God has given us all the provisions. The most important is the Word of God (Vs.12-13). Keeping the Word of God will guide us all our ways. (Psalm 119:105).
May the Holy Spirit lead each of us until we reach that destination of rest through Jesus Christ. He is the Way, Truth and Life. Jesus said "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me……And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:1-3). God calls us to enter into the rest by putting our faith in Jesus Christ and continuing to abide in Him until we reach that eternal rest.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us unconditionally. Help us to follow Your footsteps and obey Your commands and work out our salvation daily. In Jesus name we pray – Amen.
Comments