Hebrerws 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
This passage of scripture contains a promise of spiritual rest to those who enter into a covenant relationship with God. When the apostle Paul refers to ceasing from our own works, it includes not only physical works, but primarily the works of the flesh and also our own efforts to save ourselves through the works of the law.
The Bible tells us that the Sabbath is a sign of the work of sanctification that is being performed by the Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts, and this is a project that only He can do. It is very much like an operation that is being performed on a patient to remove cancerous tissue from the body. The patient must trust the surgeon, that he knows what he is doing and the patient must rest in that trust, as the operation is being performed. Let's read:
Exodus 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.
Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
And so we should rest in faith, trusting that God who began a good work in us will bring it to completion, therefore we are not to worry about whether we will be saved in God's kingdom, nor should we lose sleep over our failings and weaknesses, for if we stay with Christ until the end, every sinful trait of character will be completely uprooted from our hearts, and we will be victorious at last. This is what the Bible explicitly states and this is what it means and nothing else. Let's read:
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
In modern Christianity many believers often find themselves in a state of unrest and imbalance because of the erroneous concepts harbored pertaining to law and grace. Some Christians focus all of their attention on grace while neglecting the law of God, while other believers focus their attention on the law and forget that we are saved by grace.
Both scenarios produce a state of unrest in the minds of those who live with this imbalance, and so the Bible reminds us that there remains a true rest for the people of God, a rest of faith that trusts in God's grace, God's mercy, and God's righteousness, while at the same time honoring Him by a faithful adherence to the law He is writing into our hearts and minds, through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the rest that Paul is referring to and it is made available to all who seek after Christ and His righteousness, in sincerity and in truth.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that should remind us of how that spiritual rest is given, and we hope and pray that every one of us will trust in God's promise of spiritual rest. Let's read:
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
As we enter into the Sabbath hours, may we find rest in Christ Jesus, for God is faithful to all of His promises. "Good night" and God Bless!