|
|
|
|
Bible studies:
As a diligent student of the Bible, you will want to make sure the Bible really says what this study says. Always remember to test all things with God's word - as the Bereans did. They "received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). First, read the study all the way through, without looking up the Scriptures. Then read the study again, this time looking up the Scriptures. Highlight or mark each verse you look up so you can easily find it later. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "For the one who has entered Jesus Christ’s rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience" (Heb. 4:10-11). Let’s examine the facts stated in these verses. There is a godly rest that we are to enter. We enter it by resting from all our works. We must be diligent to enter that rest. We enter God’s rest when we cease from all our works of lawlessness (1 John 3:4). Works of lawlessness are the things we do when we live to the flesh. We must put these deeds of the flesh to death (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 5:16). How do we do this? By living to the Spirit! Jesus Christ said living to the Spirit, instead of to the flesh, is easy (Matt. 11:30). All we need to do is obey Him by imitating His behavior and the Father’s (1 Cor. 11:1; Eph. 5:1). What did Jesus do? How did He do it? He kept the works of the Father exclusively. The good works He did were done in the Father’s name and in so doing, He glorified the Father (Matt. 5:16; John 10:25). He overcame the world by overcoming His nature (John 16:33). Jesus Christ was made perfect (Heb. 5:9). We also must strive to do the works of God (Luke 13:24). We must persevere and be zealous in doing the works of the Father (Rom. 2:6-7; Luke 21:19). We are commanded not to get weary in doing good works (Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13; 1 Cor. 15:58). In fact, Jesus said many of us would do greater works than He did because He had to go to the Father (John 14:12). You might ask, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of the Father?" That is a legitimate question and it was asked of Christ in John 6:28. The works of the Father make up the Will of God (1 John 2:17; Matt. 7:21). God’s Will consists of any acts of righteousness done for God’s glory (Col. 3:17). You could keep your appearance up for God. Love your mate for God. Teach your children about God’s Ways, showing them that they receive a reward from God for each thing they do in His name (Matt. 6:1; Eph. 6:1-2, 7-8). Respect God’s name. Do not use it in profanity a day longer, because those who do are His enemies (Psalm 139:20). The more you do for God, the more He will do for you (Mark 4:24; Mal. 3:10; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6). When all you sow is righteousness, then everything you reap will be a blessing! You will have entered God’s kingdom, which is within your new heart (Luke 17:21). You will have forced your way into the kingdom of heaven by disciplining yourself to do God’s Will (Luke 16:16). You will have overcome your old nature by being zealous for good works – Christ’s works (1 Peter 3:13; Rev. 2:26). You will have rested from all your works because you are only doing God’s works now. You will have entered God’s rest. (Feel free to give copies of this study to others who want to know God’s truth. You will be doing God’s Will when you show and tell others how to live this special Way.) Bible studies:
|