Hebrews 4:6

Hebrews 4:6

Who enters the rest?

This whole subject of “entering God’s rest” has been both illuminating and life changing. Chapter 3 of Hebrews highlighted the disobedience and rebellion of the Israelites, a whole generation of whom missed out on the Promised Land because of their unbelief. It warned us against sinful, unbelieving hearts that prevent us from entering the fulness of all that God has in store. Again, let’s emphasize that this does not allow us to make judgements about who will enter the glories of God’s eternal rest and who will not! What the verses do tell us is that it is possible to claim the Christian faith, to appear to be a solid follower of Christ but to not be at rest in Him in this world. It is chilling to realise that we may all be guilty of having heard God’s voice speaking to us but have hardened our hearts and so missed out on the rest that He has provided for us. Verse 6 emphasizes this point, we have heard the good news but are we really prepared to walk through the wilderness and willingly lay claim to God’s promises and to entirely entrust ourselves to Him for our future? Are we ready to stop working out our own salvation and to commit to wholly accepting what Christ has done for us? Can we look hard at ourselves and conclude that there are areas of our lives where we are simply not at rest in God because we are being disobedient? 

These principles do, of course, apply to the heavenly rest that is awaiting us, and also the recreation of the earth when all evil and rebellion has ceased. This is a vast and challenging subject, but we need to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21–23).

Religious ceremonies and practices do not ensure salvation, doing good does not ensure salvation, only faith and obedience can open the door to God’s rest. Are we guilty of making the gospel far less serious than it really is? Are there many who think that they are saved who are actually missing out on the Promised Land? 

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