![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikehillebrecht.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/inbaby-hand3.jpg?resize=135%2C135\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Have you ever thought there has to be more than this? Are you unsettled with the sheer lack of a self-ordained objectives to accomplish simply because it is all \u201cfinished?\u201d Are you still trying to delineate where your efforts and his faith meet? Believe it or not, these thoughts mean you\u2019re resting in grace.<\/p>\n
I know, it sure doesn\u2019t feel like rest, but it truly is. You\u2019re at that spot where everything you\u2019ve thought you knew about this grace or faith thing hits the reality of Jesus. This is where the finished work declared 2,000 years catches up with you, and after surveying the terrain of a life now before you, you\u2019re stupefied as to what your next move is. This is rest.<\/p>\n
Now I\u2019m certain that some \u2013 no most \u2013 will object to me claiming this as rest. They\u2019ll claim that rest is what happens as a reward to work, a respite between intense personal effort and the next accomplishment. That might be a good explanation of what you\u2019ve always known to be rest but how does that stack up to the reality that everything is\u2026well\u2026finished? Jesus declared it and gave up the ghost to defend it. Now what? Ah, there\u2019s the rub. <\/p>\n
The writer of the book of Hebrews claims that the children of Israel failed to enter the rest of the Lord because they lacked faith in the promise that was given them. This same writer then claims that the people of God, through Jesus, have the ability to enter into the same rest through his faith. So you\u2019re resting, right? What? What about your faith? It doesn\u2019t matter. Yes, I\u2019m serious.<\/p>\n
Consider that Israel, by their lack of faith, couldn\u2019t enter into the rest of God. Do you seriously think that God would risk the entire population of the planet upon their own faith, once again, just so that they could miss entering His rest? You enter His rest through the faith of Jesus, not yours no matter how much you\u2019ve exercised it. But don\u2019t think that your faith isn\u2019t worth something because it is, just not here. What Jesus did was done for you and me long before we ever believed. Any belief we have about it can\u2019t reverse it or even add to it. Hence, it is finished. Now rest.<\/p>\n
At this point some of you might have fallen into the trap of thinking how rest now means you don\u2019t have to do anything \u2013 ever again. All the works have been accomplished for you so why not just sit or kick back and marinate in the presence of Jesus. If it was good for Brother Lawrence then is should work for you too, right? In my best Apostle Paul impression, \u201cYou foolish Christian, who has bewitched you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Before you were saved, I\u2019m certain that you came across certain people who were\u2026how do I put this so you\u2019ll relate? They were lazy, good-for-nothing, free-loading bums. Yup, that is the term I think most of have used to define the behavior of those who seem to be on a perpetual holiday from life. Well, guess what? Now, after salvation, the term hasn\u2019t lost its meaning simply because you can claim to be a child of grace. If you\u2019re offended by my statement, good, because it means you\u2019ve taken the bait in the trap. The last thing the world needs is an apostle of rest who won\u2019t even go out and preach through their actions rather than their words. Seems like an oxymoron doesn\u2019t it? (No, I didn\u2019t just call you a moron.)<\/p>\n
Understand this: Jesus is the personification of grace. He lives in you. He clearly stated that you would do greater works than him. He also said that His Father continues to work even to this day. So where is the rest in all of this? In the fact that you do not have to work to be approved, found in right standing, and concerned about if your last, or present, sin will be forgiven. Your rest from these works, the rest this whole message is about, has already been guaranteed by Jesus. This is the finished work of the cross. Now rest – for the greater works of grace await you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Have you ever thought there has to be more than this? Are you unsettled with the sheer lack of a self-ordained objectives to accomplish simply because it is all \u201cfinished?\u201d Are you still trying to delineate where your efforts and … Continue reading