enter into rest by believing

Resting Takes Labor

Hebrews 4:11 (King James Version) Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Hebrews 4:3 (New International Version) Now we who have believed enter that rest...

Resting Takes Believing

Entering into the rest of God isn’t automatic. Even after being born again, we have a place of rest in the Lord that we have to labor to enter into. We have to believe, just as it was with the Israelites who came out of Egypt. God intended not only to bring them out of Egypt but also to bring them into the land of promise, but it didn’t happen, because of their unbelief.

(by Andrew Wommack)

Resting Relies on God's Strength

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (The Living Bible)

... he (God) said, "...I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people." Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ's power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite happy about "the thorn," and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong-the less I have, the more I depend on him.

A Rest In Work vs A Rest From Work

When we try to do everything in our own strength and leave God out of the equation, we just get worn-out and frustrated by our mistakes and failures. But when we lean on God, we actually enter into His rest and can enjoy our lives, no matter what our circumstances may be.

The rest of God is not a rest from work—it’s a rest in work. It’s partnering with God to do what He is calling you to do by His grace, and leaving the part you can’t do in His hands, trusting Him to do it. Hebrews 4:3 says it this way: We who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God) do enter that rest…. So we start by believing.

When I’m trying to believe, I haven’t entered God’s rest. But when I do believe, I have complete rest in Him. Living by faith is not a struggle—it’s rest. And you can enter into God’s rest in every area of your life.

Sometimes we think God needs our help. We meditate on the problem—rolling it over and over in our mind, worrying, trying to figure out how things should work out. It’s like we’re telling God, “I kind of think You need my help, and I’m not sure You can take care of this situation, Lord.”

We need to realize that worrying is useless! It’s like sitting in a rocking chair, rocking all day, wearing yourself out and getting nowhere. Trusting God means we give up worrying, reasoning, and anxiety and we enter into His rest with simple childlike faith—we live by grace through faith!

(Joyce Myers)

Definition of True Blessing

Matthew 5:3-12 (The Message Bible)

3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

The Problem With Religion

Religious people tend to bounce between Pride and Condemnation. This stems from the original sin of eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

When you know good and you think you're doing it, it leads to pride.
When you know what evil is and you find yourself doing it, you get under condemnation.
With either one you can't receive from the life of God (think Tree of Life).

God's plan was that we would receive EVERYTHING as we ABIDE IN HIM through the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Because this LIFE is based on what Jesus did (vs what we do), there is no room for pride or condemnation.

We must make a choice which tree we see ourself grafted into.

As Believers, we need to see ourselves grafted into the Tree of Life!

The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life symbolizes believers united in relationship with God, focused on our New Identity In Christ.

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is a picture of the life Christ came to deliver us from, a life of self-reliance.