“For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.” Hebrews 4:10
The first Monday in September “Labor Day”.
The History of Labor Day
“American labor has raised the nation’s standard of living and contributed to the greatest production the world has ever known and the labor movement has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership – the American worker.”
Slaves to Sin – Unbelief
When the Israelites where rescued from Egyptian slavery, they were set free from the grueling forced labor. And as they left for the promised land, they were to embark on a journey where they would reach a land flowing with milk and honey. There they would enter God’s rest. Everything that was needed would be provided for them. But the test of entering in was whether or not they could trust God on the way. When they finally reached their destination they were not able to go in because they feared the giants they had seen, believing, it was impossible to overtake them. However, time and time again, when they met with an enemy, God defeated their enemy through Moses’ obedience and faith.
Every step of the way there was complaining and grumbling whenever they became hungry or thirsty. ALthough, God had always provided for them, with manna from heaven and water pouring from a rock. His provision was to the point that even their clothes and shoes did not wear out as they walked across the wilderness desert those 40 years. (Deuteronomy 29:5)
What does it mean to enter God’s rest, and how is it that so many missed it?
It’s because they did not trust God to be Good, and continued to work at achieving their own life. Adam and Eve believed God was withholding something good from them, even though they lacked nothing, so they took the bait of wanting something more. Unfortunately, God was not enough, therefore, God multiplied their labor. Why? They did not trust God, but instead, had faith in themselves. When Jesus addressed His disciples before leaving this earth, He reminded them to abide in Him for apart from Him they could do nothing.
The Works of the Cross
When Jesus took our sins and our punishment on the cross, He accomplished the work God had sent Him to do. He was to make atonement for every sin. He did not throw in the towel and give up when all had abandoned Him, and when God did not give Him a way of escape. No, His face was like flint as He journeyed to Jerusalem those 33 years. Yet, the Lord sustained Him as He fulfilled the works of the Father and not His own.
“Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:19
When Jesus had accomplished God’s atonement for our sins, He cried out with a loud voice, “It is finished!” because He had finished the works of the Father – to provide salvation for the whole world.
How We Enter His Rest
Now, when anyone has faith in the finished work of the cross, they enter God’s salvation and rest. No longer as believers do we have to accomplish what is required of the law to obtain righteousness, but rather we enter the rest of our Savior, who has made us righteous through His righteousness. (Romans 4:18-22)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2: 8-10
Anyone rejecting the work of Jesus Christ is still under the curse of the law. But Jesus, became the curse for us and as God’s wrath was poured out upon Him, He called out, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Therefore, anyone calling on His Name has passed from death to life. (Luke 23: 41-43)
As children of the living God, we have obtained an inheritance that can never be taken away, and it was not by our own labor or good works, but our Saviors’, Jesus Christ.
As we rest one day from all our labor here on earth, if we are in Christ, we will hear the Lord’s command, “Come forth!” or “Come up here! and together those who believe and are in the grave and those still alive will meet our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ in the clouds and enter the Promise Land – Paradise, prepared for us. (John 14:2)
(John 11:43, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 4:1)
“Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:29
What is Hell? Rejecting God’s payment for your sins and paying yourself.
What is Heaven? Accepting Jesus’ payment for your sins and entering Salvation’s Rest.
Lord, thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who paid for everyone’s sins. I pray that anyone who reads this blog will make the decision to believe and accept Christ’s work at the cross and receive Eternal Life.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16
CR – John 5:17, Isaiah 30:15, Hebrews 4:10, John 10:37
