Let us therefore strive to enter that rest (I) What it means

The word “strive” in this quote from Hebrews 4:11 in the ESV, is not an accurate translation, but it makes a good blog title! Thayer tells us that the Greek means “to make haste, to exert oneself, endeavour or give difference.” Other translations have “labour, or be diligent.” We will look at this later, but today I want to look at what the author means by rest. There are several "rests" referred to in the book of Hebrews. Two are relevant to our discussion. The first is the rest that the Israelites failed to obtain, when they were refused entrance into their rest in promised land. The second, is in verse 9 where the author argues that “There remains a rest for the people of God today.” This he says is because the admonition to "strive" to enter into rest in Psalm 95:11, was given many years after the Israelites failed to enter their rest.

So what is this rest that is available for us today? It is I think helpful to compare it with the three aspects of salvation. I was saved from the penalty of sin (justification), I am being saved from the power of sin (sanctification), and I will be saved from the presence of sin (glorification). In the same way firstly, the Christian can rest from the need to earn his or her salvation. Secondly there is a rest available in the here and now, a rest from striving against sin. Then there is the eternal rest of heaven. It is this middle aspect of rest I wish to address. Jesus calls this “soul rest” when He offers “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28, 29).

What I want to say this morning, is that those Christians who have some of the more obvious addictions (alcohol, drugs, pornography, anger etc., etc.) actually have an advantage, in terms of entering into this rest. And the advantage is this, the addiction can be a huge aid to help us to come out of denial. This is what the first step in any 12-step program is all about, namely coming to terms with the fact that we cannot live the Christian life without a lot of help. It is hard, though not impossible, to be a Christian and a Pharisee in the midst of your addiction. If you are that, it means is you are still in denial! So then this rest is first of all knowing that we need to come to Him, and to come to Him. Then “all” we need to do it is to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him. More to come!

Father, I put the word “all” in inverted commas in the above sentence, because although it is very simple, it is far from easy. But what seems to be true Father, is that the greater our need, the greater the deliverance when it comes. And Lord my experience of being diligent to enter into your rest, is that it needs to be a daily diligence. And it is indeed all about coming to You, about our ongoing relationship with You. Thank You that this promises is true Lord, for You are faithful. And I worship You this morning Lord in Jesus Name Amen