Works of the Saints

Last week we went over Hebrews 4:10 which is a powerful reminder that it is not our works that we find rest in but in God’s actions alone. This is a verse that believers and nonbelievers alike can relate too, the world today is busier than ever and rest is hard to come by. However, as we saw last week the only true rest that we can find is to mimic our Lord and rest in His actions. “10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:10.

However, while we do receive rest from our works when we become born again Christians, this does not mean that our works end. The purpose of them simply shift. Before we placed our trust in Jesus Christ and His redeeming work, our actions were designed to try to bridge the gap between our sinful selves and holy God, we were trying to make ourselves worthy enough of His love. Once we do find true rest in Jesus Christ, our actions become less focused on ourselves, and more focused on Him. We begin to act in ways that correlate with His word, we are gospel centered and eager to share what Christ has done for us. Another example are what we have just spent the last few weeks discussing, the spiritual gifts. These gifts can only occur when we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Our actions after finding true rest in God become focused on Him.

This is why those around us notice a change when we become born-again believers, our actions will reflect the One that we are following. “15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing: 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16. Our actions allow others to see Christ through us, when we are around believers it is an encouragement but when we are around non-believer it is a reminder of the rest that they do not have.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex