To Sabbath or Not to Sabbath: Fact#5

We march on in our effort to have a correct understanding of the meaning of Sabbath, let’s examine the fifth fact of this remarkable biblical word.

Let’s refresh our memory of the verses we have been using as our source text for our study, Genesis 2:1-3 from the English Standard Version:

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. 

FACT #5: Though the Saturday observance of Sabbath ended at the cross the true Sabbath rest of God in which He ceases from His creative efforts, continues to this day. The specific application for this is described in verses nine and ten of Hebrews chapter four:

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. — Heb. 4:9-10 ESV

This is where Sabbath should excite and re-invigorate the Christ-follower. The true Sabbath is for you to cease from your own labor, your own efforts, and your own activity. Cease and halt your own works. This doesn’t mean you become inactive in maturing as a Christ-follower. For you see, the implication here is that you cease from your own efforts and depend on the work of Another. The entire message of Hebrews is that another One is going to work through you. Is it any wonder why Paul cries out saying, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me,” (Gal. 2:20). Jesus, himself, says, “My Father who lives in me does his work through me,” (John 14:10). This could very well be the missing piece to your puzzled life as a believer. When you awaken to this and learn that “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him,” (Phil. 2:13), you will know what it is to turly rest!

Therefore, cease from the dependence of your own activity, and rest in the dependence of the One who dwells within you. You will then be fulfilling the true Sabbath.

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