Resting in Jesus: Entering God’s Grace in The Gospel
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Resting in Salvation
Entering God’s Rest
Hebrews 4:9 reveals that the Sabbath rest of salvation by grace must be entered into by God’s people. “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God,” it begins.
By believing the Gospel and receiving God’s grace in the sacrifice of Christ, we enter the promised rest of salvation. The ancient Israelites failed to enter the promised rest in the land of Canaan due to unbelief in the wilderness. We can equally fail to enter God’s rest of salvation through slipping into unbelief today.
The Sabbath Rest
Verse 10 affirms, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” We can only find rest in salvation by grace, not by works.
Just as God rested on the seventh day of creation and ceased from all of His works, we must follow the same pattern now by trusting in God’s grace alone for our salvation, not our own works. The Seventh-day Sabbath is a symbol of salvation’s rest, accomplished for us by the finished work of Christ on the cross.
Avoiding Unbelief
Verse 11 warns, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Believers must be sure to enter God’s rest in salvation by maintaining our faith in Jesus and avoiding unbelief.
The ancient Israelites slipped into unbelief in the wilderness and were prohibited by God from entering into the promised land and rest as divine judgment. This example helps us to avoid the same pattern of unbelief and similar tragic outcome.
Trusting in God
Today, affirm your trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ and rest in God’s salvation. Jesus has purchased salvation for you in full through His sacrifice. All that God requires from you now is faith and trust in what He has accomplished through the cross, and His unwavering supernatural power will keep you steadfast until the end.
OFG Prayer of Faith
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your Sabbath rest given to me in Jesus. Help me to always trust in Your grace alone for salvation and not my own works. I affirm my faith now, rejecting all unbelief, and I trust that Your supernatural power will keep me steadfast until the end.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
