“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.” (vs1-2)
Fear drives us to the Savior to be helped of God, lest we perish in unbelief, like many who have heard before.
First, we shall not enter rest, if we do not believe (Heb 4:1-3). We read, “For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: So I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest”. Rest is only for those who trust Christ, who walk by faith.
Justification or righteousness with God is by faith. Romans 4:5 says, “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness”. We believe on the Son's victory, and God declares us righteous by faith, and not by deeds. Salvation is received by faith, power is by faith, and all things that we get from God come through the channel of faith, which glorifies God, esteeming Him able to do what He's promised, even to save us JUSTLY and mercifully (Rom 4:21-22). Without faith, we don't have the Son, don't have the Father, and don't have the Spirit.
Secondly, God's rest, the cessation of our works and the entering into His salvation, is wonderful (vs4-5). We read, “They shall not enter My rest”. God's rest is movement by the Spirit, forgiveness of sins, and the heavenly reward. It is REST from the law and rest from the slavery of sin. We enjoy this rest here, but we'll enjoy it eternally and perfectly hereafter.
After a long day, you want to rest. Weary souls DESIRE rest. This rest is in believing on the Son, receiving the promises of God, and being empowered by His strength, rather than ourselves. It is going God's way, as God's children, - forgiven, helped, and rewarded.
Thirdly, don't resist mercy (Heb 4:6-7). We read, “again He designates a certain day, saying in David, Today, after such a long time, as it has been said: Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts”. God is willing, and He desires you to be saved (Acts 3:26). He resurrected His Son and sent the gospel to bless you, revealing His willing heart. He says , “Come” because He WANTS you to believe. Do not be discouraged, distracted, or deluded. Don't cast away your hope, saying, “No” to eternal life. Receive the goodness that He gives.
The prodigal came home to mercy, but the older brother REFUSED to go into the music and the dancing (Luke 15). Sinners repented and were blessed, but the self-righteous rejected mercy, like men who thought they could see and had no reason to ask for sight (John 9:39-41).
Finally, be ready (vs11-13). We're warned, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account”. The stakes are eternal life vs. eternal damnation. You get this right, and you'll be happy forever, with no more pain. Your sins will be gone, your tears all wiped away, and pleasure ever more will be your lot. But, missing Christ, provokes wrath and dooms the soul to eternal torments. God is playing no games. We'll believe Him for real, getting power over sins... resting in Christ... or we'll be punished for rejecting His mercy. His heart is willing, His reward is sure, but it requires faith.
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