The Goal'

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The Book of Hebrews was written to experienced Christians. According to the text, they were ahead of us both in doctrine and in experience, having suffered joyfully the spoiling of their possessions. For all of this, the Book of Hebrews is one long rebuke because having come thus far they now were not pressing forward toward the goal. The goal, toward which we are to press, is referred to in Hebrews as "maturity," and also "God’s rest."

(5/29/2005) The word for today was taken from the first chapter of the Book of Hebrews. Since these believers were so advanced, it is a marvel that there are so many rebukes found in this epistle. Apparently they were in danger of neglecting their salvation.

Since they possessed all the experiences we associate commonly with being a saved, Spirit-filled Christian, of what were they coming short?

The writer warns us about coming short of the rest of God. What precisely is the rest of God?

The rest of God is that state in which we have overcome the enemies that press us into trusting in the world system; into obeying the passions of our flesh; and into exercising our personal ambitions instead of God’s will. As long as there is a door in us in which one of God’s enemies and ours can enter, we cannot find rest. Also, God cannot find rest in us.

The truth is, the Christian salvation is a reaction against the ancient rebellion in the heavens. Since that rebellion, the Lord God of Heaven has been seeking a house, a dwelling place in which He can find rest. This is why He created man—to be His resting place.

Jesus Christ is the chief Cornerstone of the eternal house of God. But there are to be many rooms in the house of God. We are being fashioned as living stones in that house.

If we will withdraw for a season from our pursuit of money and pleasures (I am speaking now to American believers) we will discover that the Spirit of God is ready to help us press into perfect rest in God. If we will walk carefully before the Lord He will begin to bring to our attention the forces in our personality that seek continually to prevent God finding rest in us and us finding rest in God.

As we become aware of worldliness, or lust, or personal ambition, we are to confess this compulsion to the Lord and ask Him in Jesus’ name to remove it from us totally. We are to give no place to the enemy, not making the mistake made by ancient Israel who neglected to drive out all the inhabitants of their land, their rest.

Do not permit Satan or people to persuade you that perfect victory is not available through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is available. We can walk in complete victory each day if we will cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

It never, never, never is the Lord’s will that we continue in known sin. There always is the power through Christ to deliver us from the chains of darkness.

It appears to me that we are entering a new day of redemption, a period during which God’s people can be delivered from the shackles of satanic bondage.

On many occasions, just before a major calamity overtook a nation, God sent a revival. I believe this is true today. The future very well way witness a major conflict in which much blood is shed and the leadership of the world passes from America to a more disciplined culture. Therefore the Spirit of God is present to help every believer get himself and his family as close to Jesus as possible