The Life of a Believer

Everyone wants to live their life in such a manner so no one gets upset with them and everyone likes everyone. That life is in heaven and we are not there yet. In the mean time we are living in a world that is under the curse of God. What does that mean for those of us who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation? We will look at Matthew 11:25-30 to answer that question.

In verses 25-26 it is clear that the Father did not reveal salvation in Christ to everyone because He did not desire to.

In verse 27 we are instructed that the only way one may know Jesus and the Father is by Jesus revealing to them who the Father is. As we think about our salvation we must realize that we have been delivered from the bondage of sin and death by God's grace alone and absolutely nothing of ourselves.

Verses 28-30 describes the life we have when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

First of all, verse 28 describes someone who has been made aware of their sin and they are miserable because of the sin. They desire to be delivered from this burden of sin but they do not know how to rid themselves of the misery. Then Jesus says, "Come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." The only one who is able to give us rest from our hopeless estate is Jesus Christ. When we confess our sins, repent and ask for forgiveness then we find true rest.

Secondly, we are told that we have a responsibility before the Lord concerning the new life we have been given. In verse 29 Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me." A yoke was put on an animals shoulders to help him bear the load upon him. Note this is the yoke that the Lord has especially made for us to bear whatever Jesus puts on us. The yoke may also refer to instructions given to us. We are to "learn from Me(Jesus)" If we truly love the Lord we will have a desire to know and follow the commandments of the Lord, John 14:15; 1 John 5:2-3. Included in this instruction we are told that Jesus is "gentle and lowly in heart." He is loving, compassionate and long suffering. He is not a harsh task master and demands more than we are able to do. He carefully works in us both to will and to do His good pleasure, Philippians 2:13. As we love and obey Him, we truly find rest for our souls. For we trust Him for all we need.

Finally,in verse 30 we read, "For My yoke is easy" which means I will enable you to bear whatever I put on you, 1 Corinthians 10:13. Jesus also states that, "My burden is light." You and I live in this condemned world and live among non-believers that may make our lives miserable at times. But whatever that load is I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ will enable me to survive. There might be times I might feel like I am not going to make it but it is those times that our faith in Christ gives us the strength to continue living.

The life of a Believer may be very difficult and trying at times but whatever we face we will never face it alone. Please come to Christ who has a burden for you and me that is light and a yoke that will enable us to carry that load.