Friday, September 21, 2012

Enter In, To God’s Rest


What does it mean to enter in, to God’s rest?

Hebrews 4:14-16 (AMP)
14 Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already entered into the rest of God] and ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].

15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.

16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly [enter in] draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

Hebrews 3:18-19 (KJV)
18 And to whom sware He that they should not enter into his rest G2663 but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Strong’s Concordance: G2663
κατάπαυσις
katapausis
kat-ap'-ow-sis
From G2664; reposing down, that is, (by Hebraism) abode: - rest.

Jesus says, Abide in Me:

John 15:4-6 (KJV)

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

I conclude then that to enter into God’s rest is to abide in Christ! Jesus says that if life is too hard, you’re not doing it right:

Matthew 11:28-30
(KJV)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(MSG)
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
(CPV)
Come to me, all of you who are frustrated and have had a bellyful, and I will give you zest, Get in the harness with me and let me teach you, for I am trained and have a cooperative spirit, and you will find zest for your lives. For my harness is practical, and my assignment is joyful.

References:
Translations are retrieved from http://www.biblegateway.com unless noted BibleGateway.com © Copyright 1995-2010 Gospel Communications International
    Amplified Bible (AMP)—Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
    The Message Bible (MSG)—Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995 by Eugene H. Peterson
    King James Version (KJV)—Public Domain/ 1604, King James I of England
The following are retrieved from e-Sword www.e-sword.net  —Copyright © 2000-2012 Rick Meyers All Rights Reserved Worldwide
    Cotton Patch Version (CPV)—Copyright © 1968 by Clarence Jordan— for more works by Clarence Jordan go to http://rockhay.tripod.com/cottonpatch/index.htm
    Strong’s Concordance: Greek & Hebrew Dictionary; Published in 1890 by James Strong

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