There remaineth therefore a rest
to the people of God. For He that
entered into His rest, He also hath
ceased from His own works, as
God did from His. Let us labor
into that rest, lest any man fall
after the same example of unbelief.
For the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any
two edged sword, piercing even
to dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts of the
heart. Neither is there any creature
that is not manifest in His sight:
but all things are naked and opened
unto the eyes of Him with whom
we have to do.
Hebrews 4:9-13
Authentic Christians, those who have Authentic Christian Faith have a rest that all others do not have for Authentic Christians are people of God. The writer of Hebrews has with clarity given the example from the history of the Hebrews how then fell back to unbelief, fell back and desired the things of the past, the life of following God was much to hard for them and we can see how that worked out for them: they wandered for 40 years in the desert until those who came out of Egypt, not the children that were born during this wandering, but those who came out of Egypt died and only their offspring were allowed into the land prepared for them, the land of rest, the land given to Abraham as an inheritance. Moses was not even allowed to take the Hebrews into the promised land, not that he was unforgiven for his failures, no, but there are consequences for not being obedient and Moses underwent the consequence of his failure. Do we think that God will not allowed us to be recipients of our failures? I hope not for God has shown by many examples of the failures of the Hebrews how they were captured and made slaves of another nation, how they fell back to the ways of the world with all their idolatrous ways. Are you, or have you turned back to those old ways that seemed so much better than the trouble that comes by faithfulness to God? I hope not! It is disobedience, unbelief, that is blasphemy against God who has revealed this evidence for our safety, for our rest. It will take work, we have to labor, why? Because it is work for we stand against the wiles of the Devil, those ungodly things this world does and believes and they are angry about this and attack us in any way they can.
Here is a very often quoted verse: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword....." (Hebrews 4:12a). Really? Do you believe that? If so then are you allowing yourself to be obedient to the word of God? Is the word of God actually quick and powerful, and sharper for you? It is for God! God sees all you do and hears all you say and is able to discern your thoughts, those intents of the heart. God has opened up all things for you, those things that should be leading you in all you say and do and think. He has not hidden from you His will. Will you do His will? Are you seeking God in "all the wrong places" those things that are not Scriptural but make a person feel godly, righteous, but are in actuality a contradiction to the life of an Authentic Christian?
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16). There is it is in a nutshell: we have a high priest one who was tempted as we are and did not sin who sits in heaven at the right hand of God Who is making intercession for us by means of the vicarious offering He made upon the cross. Jesus died, first to satisfy the justice of God and then to make a way for salvation to you and all who will believe upon Him, not as some creature, some creation, no but as the Only Begotten Son of God, God Himself, the Second Person of the Godhead who emptied Himself to do this work until it was finished. Jesus did His work: are you willing to do yours? Do you want mercy and grace? If so then come boldly before the throne of God and that boldness is manifested in your life as you take the Gospel to the world, and by your obedience to His word that has been revealed to you by those God inspired to write His words. What have you to lose? The gain or loss is determined by your Authentic Christian Faith and that is a faith of obedience. God is willing to give you grace and mercy; are you making way for this? I pray that this is true for you.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
And why art thou disquieted in me?
Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise
Him for the help of His countenance.;
Psalm 42:5
Be a diligent worker for God
Richard L. Crumb
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