Chewing on Hebrews 4 this morning and the promise of a rest that “remains” for the people of God — a Sabbath rest. The kind of rest God modeled at creation. A “finished from the foundation of the world” rest (4:3b). The gospel’s rest. And yet, it is somewhat of a paradoxical rest. For it is a real rest that requires some real effort.

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

(Hebrews 4:11 ESV)

Strive to enter that rest . . .

Hmm . . . A rigor required repose. That’s a little counterintuitive.

But the rest being spoken of here is not an idleness. It’s not a kicking back and putting up of your feet. Instead, this rest is akin to a calming of the winds. So, I picture the “striving” to be like the effort needed to steer a ship from the stormy waves of the open sea into the calm, glassy-water haven of a protected bay. And at the heart of this calm, is resting from a sense that I need to keep doing in order for God to keep loving.

But as I noodle on the last part of Hebrews 3 and this first part of Hebrews 4, apparently that can be easier said than done.

Perhaps it can be hard because of pride. Because the old man wants to boast in his new works so that he can hold on to a sense that God somehow owes him a debt for his self-disciplined righteousness.

Or maybe it’s hard because of an enemy-induced paranoia and uncertainty. A persistent, nagging feeling that my eternal destiny remains dependent on my current performance. That what determines how real my justification is, is how real my sanctification appears.

But the fact of the matter remains,

“There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”

(Hebrews 4:9b ESV).

The price has been paid. Our sin atoned for, once and for all. Divine righteousness credited to the account of all who believe. Period! No “take backs.” Eternally declared to be “holy” as our standing before Him. So that the curtain which once blocked the way into the presence of God’s glory has been torn in two, from top to bottom (Mt. 27:51), and access freely made available so that we can draw near with confidence (Heb. 4:16). All because the work is finished!

And so know, dear saint (I’m talking to this guy sitting in this chair), there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

But a rest that is available is no rest at all if it is not entered into.

So, let’s strive to enter that rest.

You coming?

By His grace? For His glory?