HEBREWS 4 - ENTERING GOD’S REST

 

ENTERING GOD’S REST

 HEBREWS 4 exhorts believers to enter God’s rest- a state of salvation, peace, and security in Christ- by faith, warning against the disobedience and unbelief that kept the Israelites from the Promise Land.

 ENTER GOD’S REST- with a PROMISE

 4 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

 The promise that still stands is the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ.

JESUS is the one who makes the promise of rest possible.

He says in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Through His death and resurrection, He opened the way for us to experience GOD’S TRUE REST-both now and forever.

God’s love is shown in that the promise of rest “still stands.” He didn’t close the door even after generations failed. He continues to invite people in. His heart is for us to find peace, joy, and life with Him.

 ENTER GOD’S REST- with FAITH as the Key

 ² 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.

 Faith isn’t just believing that something is true-it’s trusting in it and acting on it. The Israelites heard God’s promises, but they didn’t mix that hearing with real trust, so they didn’t obey. Because of that, they missed out on what God had for them. The same warning applies to us today: hearing the gospel isn’t what saves a person. It must be received with a heart of faith that leads to obedience.

  ENTER GOD’S REST- with DILIGENCE

 ¹¹ Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

 Yes, salvation is a free gift from God, and our response is important. We are not saved by works, but we are called to actively trust, obey, and persevere. Why? So “that no one will fall by following their [the Israelites’] example of disobedience”. Entering God’s rest is not passive. It requires that we keep believing, keep following, and keep resisting the pull of sin and unbelief.

When Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He completed the work of salvation. We no longer have to strive to earn God’s favor. In Christ, we rest-not because we’ve done enough, but because He has.

 Questions for reflection:

1.  What does “God’s rest” mean to you personally?
2.  What does it mean for you to “make every effort to enter” God’s rest?

3. How does the example of the Israelites in the wilderness serve as a warning to you?
4. In what ways can you encourage others to stay strong in their walk with God?

 

To enter God’s rest is not to stop living faithfully but to stop striving as though everything depends on us. 

 God’s rest is a place where obedience flows, hope is our anchor, and peace becomes our posture – because God is already at work.

 Lord teach us to rest in what you have done, and to live diligently and faithfully from the rest in trust and hope. Amen.

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PASTORA PAULA