What does it mean to rest in God?

[ember]

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.*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.a*Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,

‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”

HEBREWS 4

Thoughts?

 

[Dan_473]

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.*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.a*Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,

‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”

HEBREWS 4

Thoughts?

I think it means not trying to do good works in order to get God to love you more... so you can rest in your relationship with him.

 

[Grace777x70]

Good OP...this was my scripture verse for me this morning...I have been writing some things about the rest in Christ....

There is only one thing we are to fear ( fear in a bad sense )...that we do not rest in Jesus' finished work on our behalf.

Fear and rest cannot co-exist.

For we who have believed DO enter into His rest ( heb 4:2-3 )

Rest is our warfare....rest is our obedience...rest is our faith in action.

The opposite of rest is unbelief. Faith comes from hearing the word of Christ and meditation on the word of Christ and His finished work on our behalf will straighten our faith. Beholding Christ in our inner man does too. ( 2 Cor 3:17-18 )

Worry is meditating on your life in the future without factoring in the grace of Jesus. Meditating on the word of Christ is worry in reverse.

Resting in the Lord is not a lazy passive existence. When we know that God has already provided everything we need in Christ and we access His wisdom, provision, strength and protection by faith, we'll be governed by the Holy Spirit in a highly strategic and active lifestyle.

It's a Spirit-led lifestyle where we flow in the good works that God planned for us all along as He lives through us to perform His work. ( The cool thing is that He rewards us for the things He does through us....what a great loving Father we have.)

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

I think it means not trying to do good works in order to get God to love you more... so you can rest in your relationship with him.

The bible says that GOD is pleased with good works. So there must be something more to this.

 

[Dan_473]

The bible says that GOD is pleased with good works. So there must be something more to this.

how about we take a look at the scripture you're think of. post it, plzzzzzz.

 

[ember]

What is wrong with your approach rosefromthedead, is quite simple

If you are WORKING, how can you be RESTING ?

That would be a contradiction even someone who never cracked a Bible would get

 

[ember]

If you are WORKING like a busy little bee, you are not RESTING

Anyone have a problem with that?

I sure hope NOT LOL!

 

[Grace777x70]

If you notice in Matt 7 where it says..Lord, Lord..did we not do all these good works in your name......He said..I never knew you.

This people were doing "good works"....

Good works by themselves do help those that are receiving it...but where do these works come from?...if it does originate from the spirit of God inside of us..Who is love..then it will not benefit us...but it does benefit the ones receiving the good works.

1 Cor 13 says even if I give my life for someone..or give all I have to the poor..without love..it profits me nothing..


Good works done from the life of Christ inside of us flowing out of us and manifesting His love through us is what is eternal.

 

[ember]

Hey GRACE...love how God will emphasize and double up on a subject like that!

I can't add to that...don't have to!

Be back later

Thanks everyone..I think this is a really important topic especially for those who are still struggling with forgiveness and living for Christ!

 

[John146]

Hebrews 4 is referring to the millennial rest where Christ is reigning as King of Kings. No more labor is necessary.

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.*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.a*Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,

‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”

HEBREWS 4

Thoughts?

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

how about we take a look at the scripture you're think of. post it, plzzzzzz.

And do not neglect doing good and generosity, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. Hebrews 13:16

And let us think about how to stir one another up to love and good works, Hebrews 10:24

But also our [people] must learn to engage in good deeds for necessary needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. Titus 3:14

​The saying [is] trustworthy, and I want you to insist concerning these [things], so that those who have believed in God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. Titus 3:8

​Remind them to be subject to the rulers [and] to the authorities, to obey, to be prepared for every good work, Titus 3:1

who gave himself for us, in order that he might redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:14

concerning everything showing yourself [to be] an example of good deeds, in your teaching [demonstrating] soundness, dignity, Titus 2:7

to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, sharing freely, 1 Timothy 6:18

 

[Grace777x70]

Resting in Christ and listening to Him always pay off..

Luke 10:39-42 (NASB)
[SUP]39 [/SUP] She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word.
[SUP]40 [/SUP] But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."
[SUP]41 [/SUP] But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;[SUP]42 [/SUP] but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Here is an example of Mary "resting" in the Lord...she then came later and anointed Jesus for His burial before He died on the cross.. This is an example of Holy Spirit led activity that comes with resting in the Lord.

If you are WORKING like a busy little bee, you are not RESTING

Anyone have a problem with that?

I sure hope NOT LOL!

 

[Dino246]

I recall reading this passage about 20 years ago and realizing that it meant that Christians entered a different kind of Sabbath, one which is not one day in seven, but a lifetime of freedom from striving, similar to what Dan_473 added. I knew at the time that I didn't fully get it, but that I had deeply scratched the surface and had sensed the truth the passage was stating.

In Hebrews 4:11, it says, "Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest..." This suggests that it is not just absence of effort which gets us 'in'. Rather, there is specific work to be done: "so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience." The "work" is obedience to the method God prescribes: we enter by faith, which is what the Israelites lacked (v.2). This sounds convoluted, and I'm not certain I have it all together yet.

The quotation of Psalm 95 in Hebrews 3 gives more context. The Israelites saw God's handiwork daily over the course of 40 years in the desert, yet still they did not believe and trust Him. If witnessing miracles constantly is not enough to convince people, what is? It is little wonder then that Jesus says to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" (John 20:29). The Israelites could only see as far as the last miracle. They repeatedly tested and tried God, demanding signs and miracles rather than resting in the confidence of His proven character.

So what does this mean for us? We need to see beyond what is written, what is already experienced in our own lives and the lives of others, and extrapolate that experience by faith, seeing God as unchangingly faithful, provisional, powerful, and good, that He is the same tomorrow as He was yesterday, and that where He states something, it is as certain as sunset and sunrise.

What does this all have to do with rest? Perhaps consider a child on a long car ride... "Are we there yet?" No, but we will get there. The adult "rests" in the adequate certainty that the destination will be reached in time. So too I think our relationship with God is restful in the sense that we are certain of His promises to us, that we don't need to strive constantly to ensure our worrying hearts of the reality and certainty of Who God is by needing new 'proof'. Jesus Christ is all the proof we really need.

But, these are just my thoughts.

 

[peacefulbeliever]

KNOWING these things:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6,7

Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me . . . . John 14:1

Full out . . . Full on TRUST! That is rest . . . nothing we can do but what God can and WILL do - that to me is "rest". No struggling to MAKE things happen, to MAKE myself GOOD ENOUGH, total dependence upon my heavenly Father.

 

[ember]

This is gonna sound funny coming from me...but I love you guys IN Jesus!

Even the answers that deny our rest highlight the TRUTH

Again..be back later...

 

[Willie-T]

Rest= Trust in, have confidence in. and rely upon.

 

[Grace777x70]

I like the reference to the Sabbath rest...

Hebrews 4:9-10 (KJV)
[SUP]9 [/SUP] There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
[SUP]10 [/SUP] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

I recall reading this passage about 20 years ago and realizing that it meant that Christians entered a different kind of Sabbath, one which is not one day in seven, but a lifetime of freedom from striving, similar to what Dan_473 added. I knew at the time that I didn't fully get it, but that I had deeply scratched the surface and had sensed the truth the passage was stating.

In Hebrews 4:11, it says, "Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest..." This suggests that it is not just absence of effort which gets us 'in'. Rather, there is specific work to be done: "so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience." The "work" is obedience to the method God prescribes: we enter by faith, which is what the Israelites lacked (v.2). This sounds convoluted, and I'm not certain I have it all together yet.

The quotation of Psalm 95 in Hebrews 3 gives more context. The Israelites saw God's handiwork daily over the course of 40 years in the desert, yet still they did not believe and trust Him. If witnessing miracles constantly is not enough to convince people, what is? It is little wonder then that Jesus says to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" (John 20:29). The Israelites could only see as far as the last miracle. They repeatedly tested and tried God, demanding signs and miracles rather than resting in the confidence of His proven character.

So what does this mean for us? We need to see beyond what is written, what is already experienced in our own lives and the lives of others, and extrapolate that experience by faith, seeing God as unchangingly faithful, provisional, powerful, and good, that He is the same tomorrow as He was yesterday, and that where He states something, it is as certain as sunset and sunrise.

What does this all have to do with rest? Perhaps consider a child on a long car ride... "Are we there yet?" No, but we will get there. The adult "rests" in the adequate certainty that the destination will be reached in time. So too I think our relationship with God is restful in the sense that we are certain of His promises to us, that we don't need to strive constantly to ensure our worrying hearts of the reality and certainty of Who God is by needing new 'proof'. Jesus Christ is all the proof we really need.

But, these are just my thoughts.

 

[Willie-T]

If you are WORKING like a busy little bee, you are not RESTING

Anyone have a problem with that?

I sure hope NOT LOL!

To an extent, "Yes" I do. Even the 12 year-old Jesus queried His parents that they should know He had to be about His Father's business. And our whole church is always quite busy doing something for someone.

 

[posthuman]

I like the reference to the Sabbath rest...

Hebrews 4:9-10 (KJV)
[SUP]9 [/SUP] There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
[SUP]10 [/SUP] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

yes, this - to rest in Him is to cease from our own works. Christ is the Sabbath of His people.
as the Jew that sought to establish his own righteousness did not know the righteousness of God, whoever instead submits to His righteousness has found it, and found rest.

this doesn't mean we sit on our hands. it means our hands are not our own, and the works we do are not our own, and it is not we that do them - "for it is God who works in you" (Philippians 2:13)

the work of God is to believe in the One He sent (John 6:29).

whoever finds rest in Him, finds peace - not striving to be approved, but having been approved by grace through faith, striving to please the One we love, for love of Him. under the law, we worked for fear of Him - but perfect love casts out fear, and whoever loves the Lord, also does what He asks.

 

[posthuman]

"if anyone hath a psalm, let him sing."

[video=youtube;KEBOO5zM3vM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEBOO5zM3vM[/video]

to enter His rest, close to His chest
and after His own heart
shepherds enter at measure 33
one foot on land, and one upon the sea