Heb. 4:1-16
Our "withness" with God should exist continuously in life. A Christian is one who both follows HIm and is "with" Him, notwithstanding the two parts are united. We cannot say I am a Christian and not follow HIm. The words of Jesus "come follow Me" denote leadership motives with us when we give Him trust - again the united parts. Likewise, when we hold our confidence sure in Him we will share continuously in His rest.
It is quite normal 'with' HIm that our faith is tested. And it seems with time testing increases, and with that our faith. This, I assume, is God's intention to gain greater objectives through us. Without question testing and pains are never wasted 'with' God, for this is the way of the cross in us!
If we think following Jesus Christ is easy and free from testing it is possible a different Christ has been presented to us. Rest i n Christ is not freedom from challenges and anxieties - we live in a human body, seeking this kind of rest is like trying to escape reality and will not work. Yet His words, "I will give you rest" is rest with life conditions!
October 2012 two bones in my neck was broken; now I am almost fully recovered. Regaining conscienceless I sensed complete safety, security, and sovereignty in God. Likewise the absence of fear or anxieties, and no pain in the following months. Was this a fun feeling? I didn't like the collar holding my neck, the itching skin, the immobility, my right arm was sleeping, the damaged nerves to my eyes caused my eyes not to function properly as one sat in the corner unmoving. Some things in life are not fun, but His peace and rest overarched it all!
We enter the rest in Christ by faith and endurance. It is not rest from the natural human conditions but an 'otherkind' - a tangible, supernatural, and transcending time and space rest in God!
Religious performance, good works, and self-identity are barriers interfering with the rest available in Christ. "Come with Me" - entering His rest is the main thing!--and everything else follows in proper order. We become spiritually and emotionally bent and disordered any other way.
Disobedience, or stubbornness, or pride hold us from entering because we choose not to place faith in Jesus Christ. These we properly deal with.
"Come follow Me" is an invitation without options! We are free, He will never interfere with our choice! Choice will determine consequence! Either, Christ is Lord.... or we are lord.
Also: Concurrently, if we have not entered His rest the two most necessary, mysterious, and powerful elements of God for us depreciate in potential - His grace and peace.
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