Last week, we explored what it means to abide in Christ, and we saw some powerful truths regarding His sacrifice for us and how it changes our position from sin to righteousness, and our nature from sinner to king priest in His kingdom and family.
During that study, something caught my attention which caused me to meditate on it more— specifically in Hebrews 4:10 which refers to ceasing from our own works, as God did from His.
It’s one thing to speak about ceasing from your own work or effort, and spiritually-speaking, we know that we should cease from our effort, though we find it challenging to fully rest in what Christ has accomplished.
I know this challenge quite well, I’ve been there, I’m familiar with the struggle; and so today I want to continue from where we paused last week. As we continue to explore abiding in Christ, with the details given to us in scripture, and I believe that as we study this together today, it will release a burden that has secretly been on the hearts of many who have been finding it difficult to rest in Christ.
Cease, as God Ceased
In Hebrews 4:10, we can see a very intriguing detail about resting in Christ, and it’s a bit of information that deserves further attention. Let’s read the verse again to refresh our memory, and for the benefit of those who weren’t here last week:
“ 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”
Now, when we read this verse last week, we focused primarily on the first part of the verse, in that we enter into God’s rest by ceasing from our works, and rely completely on His sacrifice and completed work. But for many people, trusting exclusively on God’s finished work is much more challenging than they expect.
While we generally want to rest in the finished work of Christ, the pressures of today, and the guilt of yesterday can present a formidable obstacle. The challenge is intensified by religious tendencies, traditions, and dogmas that promote a works mindset and keep people focused on performance rather than His sacrifice and what it means for us.
The reason why guilt, pressure, and general religious legalism hold such a grip on our beliefs, centralizes around one particular idea: that the work isn’t finished. Guilt, for example, tends to reignite the fire of self-works through an oppressive feeling of sorrow over something we have done. Naturally, we want to right the wrong and we think that the only way to accomplish this is through offsetting the bad deed through equal or greater good deeds.
Current circumstances and perceptions are often extremely loud, and can be very difficult to ignore, often causing us to wonder if God is even there, or listening at all.
Religious traditions often make people feel as though they need to continue or keep-up particular behaviors to maintain their position or standing with God.
Notice that each of these things press our lives from various angles, but all produce the same effect of taking our eyes off of Jesus, and back onto our own works— which is why the verse of Hebrews 4:10 is crucial to understand. Look at the verse again:
“ 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”
The person who has entered into the rest of God, has ceased from his own works (which we studied last week); but now notice the last part of the verse: as God did from His. This final bit of information is critical to understanding how to cease from your works and enter the rest of God, because we do so in the same manner as God did from His.
How God Ceased From His Work
Since we are directed to cease from our work as God did from His, we must know precisely how God ceased from His work. Thankfully, we have that information demonstrated in two places in scripture— Genesis 2:1-2, and Hebrews 10:11-13, so let’s read these now:
- Genesis 2:1-2:
“ 1Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”
- Hebrews 10:11-13:
“11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From now on expecting his enemies be made his footstool.”
We see from these verses the details of how God rested and ceased from His work. He didn’t rest because He has tired, frustrated, or depressed. God also wasn’t simply taking a break to start working again later.
God rested and ceased from His work, because the work was finished!
Likewise, we are to rest, and cease from our works, because the work is finished by Jesus!
Verse thirteen of Hebrews chapter ten demonstrates the mindset that we are to have now that the work is finished and we are in God’s rest: we should expect victory! Jesus sat down at the right hand of God, and because of His sacrifice for us, we also sat down with Him according to Ephesians 2:6. But He didn’t sit down in worry, or fear, or uncertainty. He knew what He accomplished, and He understood the results of His sacrifice; therefore, Jesus sat down expecting, and so should we, as well.
Rest for Your Soul
So what should we do with the feelings of guilt, fear, and legalistic thoughts?
Jesus outlines a very simple answer in Matthew 11:28-29, when He says
“ 28 Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.”
When we find ourselves burdened with the cares and worries of life, we should come to Jesus. He will not give you rules, regulations, or scorn, but He gives rest.
In verse 29, He says to take His yoke upon yourself. Many performance-minded people interpret that as a call to suffer and work as Christ did. However when we truly take Jesus’ yoke upon us, we are acknowledging that He is the one doing the lifting, and ultimately that He carried our burdens and sins upon Himself (1st Peter 2:24). In Acts 15:10 the old covenant Law, and the resulting condemnation which it brings is referred to as a heavy yoke and burden. Knowing what Jesus has accomplished for us, gives rest to our soul.
Your soul is your mind, emotions, and will. Your soul, is where the true battle takes place, and where victory is won.
The good news is that the victory is won already, through Jesus Christ.
Be blessed.