GLEANINGS — October 6, A.D. 2013                                                                                                               "Eternal Rest"

"For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end..." (Hebrews 3:14)

Following this warning to us Christians of our need to stand strong and hold fast, the inspired writer to the Hebrews directs our attention to those ancient Israelites who, on account of their grumbling unbelief, did not enter the promised land of rest, but wandered in the wilderness forty years.

He goes on (4:3) to encourage us with the promise that we who have believed have entered the everlasting sabbath, the eternal rest, of Christ's redemption. "For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." (4:10)

From what works has the Christian ceased? Certainly not from those of obedient discipleship and fruitful exploits in the Kingdom of God. Surely we walk in the good works God has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10); we aim to be industrious and wise servants, ambitious to hear our Master say "Well done!" on that final day. (2 Corinthians 5:9, Matthew 25:21)

The works from which the Christian has ceased are works of self-justification. He has ceased from the vain hope that his own works can earn Heaven, which is the everlasting sabbath, the eternal rest. Already, the believer rests in Christ Whose work HAS fully merited that reward. The eternal life is already abiding in him or her (John 17:3, 1 John 5:11,13).

The Lord's day, the day of His resurrection which was the great sign and seal of the accomplishment of His work (Who DID earn Heaven for all those in Him), is an earthly foretaste of the endless rest in the world yet to come.

Are you a sinner redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, clothed with His perfect righteousness, living faithfully in Him? If you hold fast to your confession that Christ alone is your confidence, the rest into which you have already entered will be yours in fulness, and it will never end.

When you are done with this world, and see Him as He is (1 John 3:2), your entire resurrected and glorified being will have been made perfect by His almighty power. Now, the spiritual man rests in Christ yet works industriously as a faithful disciple. Then, the incorruptible spiritual body will not experience weariness, but ever be filled with boundless energy to share in the greatest work: the worship of God where meaningful work and exquisite delight are one.

If you are a member of Christ's body now, you will know then the peaceful companionship of God's people from every time and place. Though now you "see in a glass, darkly" (1 Corinthians 13:12), then your eye will see and your ear will hear and into your heart will enter the things which God has prepared for those who love Him (Isaiah 64:4, 1 Corinthians 2:9).