God's Rest For His People

The author of Hebrews passionately confronts his readers to seriously consider their relationship with Jesus Christ lest they be deceived by sin and do not enter the rest God has for them, Hebrews 3:7-19. He continues this thought in Chapter 4:1-5 by pointing out the importance of personal faith in Jesus Christ.

In the first verse of chapter 4 the author points out the genuine concern Believers should have for church members who might not have faith in Christ alone for salvation. We Believers have a tendency to think everyone in the church has Christ as their Savior. Each one should be willing to give our testimony of faith in Christ whenever asked.

In the second verse we are told the people whom the Lord brought out of Egypt heard the same message as we yet it was not beneficial to them due to not believing. The phrase, "They were not united by faith with those who listen" is so important. The prepositional phrase "by faith" is the means of trusting in Jesus as our Savior, Ephesians 2:8-9. The phrase, "those who listen" instructs us that it is our personal faith in Christ that saves us. One must personally believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came into the world to die for their sin. By confessing their sin, repenting of their sin and asking Jesus for forgiveness one is forgiven and has eternal life, John 3:16.

The third verse states, "For we who have believed enter that rest." This is the assurance of our salvation. Calvin states, "The highest happiness of man is to be united to his God." The Lord gives us a peace of heart and mind which surpasses all understanding and the joy of Christ is in us. This is all spiritual and inward and the world does not understand us. The Believer personally experiences this each day and then the day will come when we will experience this totally when the Lord takes us from this life into His very presence.

However, in verses 4-5 there is a serious warning concerning those who do not have faith in Christ. The warning is, "They shall not enter my rest." This is a very serious warning since it is listed in Chapter 3 verses 11 and 18; and Chapter 4 verses 3 and 5. It is my prayer that those of you who are reading this lesson know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. If you are not sure then please confess your sin to Jesus, repent and ask Him to forgive you and you will be forgiven. Then you will experience the rest for God's people and will enter that eternal rest at your death.