Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said[.] Hebrews 4: 1-3a, NKJV
Precious Lord, thank You so much for being with us as we study Your Word. As we learn more about You, teach us how to apply the knowledge for Your glory, in Christ’s name we pray; Amen
Today we want to take a final look at our promise, at least for now. We will look at verse three, “(for we who have believed enter that rest), in keeping with what He has said:” (HCSB).* This text brings to my mind the words of Romans 4: 3-5, “because scripture says: Abraham put his faith in God, and this faith was considered as justifying him. If a man has work to show, his wages are not considered as a favor but as his due; but when a man has nothing to show except faith in the one who justifies sinners, then his faith is considered as justifying him” (The Jerusalem Bible – Reader’s Edition).
Verse three of our promise states very clearly, that it is those who “believe” that enter the rest. And in Romans 4, it is Abraham’s faith that justifies him. The underlying message throughout Scripture is that we are saved by the grace of God, through our faith in Jesus. It is by believing that the price of His shed blood, that He paid at Calvary, is sufficient to bring us salvation. If we could work for it, it would not be a gift; but because there is nothing that we can do to merit it, therefore, salvation is a gift, that as we accept it, it becomes effective in our lives. This gift is given as a result of God’s grace. Let us consider a few texts that confirm this truth:
Romans 6: 23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Emphasis provided). God offers us life forevermore as a gift! IT IS FREE TO US, BUT IT COST HEAVEN EVERYTHING, TO SAVE ONE SOUL.
Ephesians 3: 7: “…I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.” Yes my friend, grace is the free, undeserved, gift of God. It is God’s grace that works to bring us salvation, through our faith! If we can believe, God is able and willing, to save us!
Titus 2: 11-14: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave [H]imself for us that [H]e might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for [H]imself a people of [H]is own who are zealous for good deeds.” Isn’t God good? His free gift of grace enables us to live “upright and godly” lives for His glory “in [this] present age” (NRSV), while we await His glorious appearing!
Hebrews 4: 16: “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (NRSV). This is God’s gracious invitation to us. May we accept it today, and by His grace, be prepared, to enter into “His rest,” at last.
* Holman Christian Standard Bible