How To Live In Rest
Do you ever wonder what true rest really feels like? Maybe you believe that it is a place of escape or some much-needed, uninterrupted sleep. And that is a part of the definition. In fact, I discussed that type of rest here in Do you Need a Time-Out?
This week, we will continue from the last blog called, Rest For Your Soul
A Rest Remains
Let’s review Hebrews 4:1. It says, “Now, God has offered us the promise that we may receive that rest he spoke about. Let us take care, then, that none of you will be found to have failed to receive that promised rest.” Hebrews 4:1
The word rest is the Greek word, katapausin, which means abode. It’s a place of rest.
This verse refers to the children of Israel who wandered in the wilderness because of their disobedience and unbelief. Hebrews 3:18-19 says, “and to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”
Hmm… so this rest is a place that can’t be entered by disobedience and unbelief. Well, your question is probably 1) Where is this place and 2) how do I get there?
You can find out more by watching our live Bible study here.
Jesus teaches us how to enter this rest that remains for us in John 15. It is through HIM–through Jesus. He is that place of rest that we are to abide in. When Jesus came to the earth, died, and rose again, He provided a place of rest for us.
In a sense, He is restoring the type of life that Adam and Eve had in the garden that was so complete that God rested on the 7th day. Adam and Eve had fellowship with God. And now, through Jesus, we too have fellowship with God.
We are called to live in and out of this place of rest (in Jesus). Jesus tells us in John 15:9-10, “I have loved you, just as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love (continue in His love with Me). If you keep My commandments (if you continue to obey My instructions), you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love” (AMPC).
Notice that abiding in Jesus takes the same actions that the children of Israel failed to do–obey His commandments.
You will never find His rest doing your own thing, living your own way, with your own desires.
Simply come to Jesus and obey His commandment to love God and love others, and you will enter into the place of rest reserved for you!
Love is the Key
The key to finding the place of rest is living in the commandment of love. You see, love is how we are "wired." What I mean is that the Bible teaches us that God is love. And we are made in His image. Therefore, we are like He is. We are designed to live, breathe, and have our being in Him, in love.
You could say it this way, living in rest is a result of living in love and operating in love. What does that look like? Well, it looks like 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends" (ESV).
Bottom line– when you care more for others than yourself, you tap into a place that feels good because God created us to live that way. You could say that walking in love reveals the real you.
Don't you feel good when you can help someone or do something to make someone's day? Of course, you do! But it does so much more for you than just making you feel good. Walking in love allows you to see beyond yourself. And when you are thinking of others, walking in love, God is working on your behalf. And that, my friend, is when you can fully find the place of rest.
Bryce just started a series on Sunday morning called Growing In Love. You can listen and watch that message here. For just the message, begin at 31:48.