As we continue to plumb the meaning of abiding in Christ, it is worth our time to consider the concept of “rest.” In fact the word “rest” and the word “abide” are nearly synonymous. One who abides (remains, tarries, lingers) in Christ also rests in him.

Like John, the “disciple whom Jesus loved”, we recline with him at the table and we receive from him. Like Mary, the sister of busy Martha, we stop what we’re doing; linger at his feet and take in what he serves to us. That is rest.


In one sense, we as believers know that we’ve already entered into His rest. This is the promise of the invitation to believe. In Matthew 11:28 he says to us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” And then in vs. 29 he adds, “…and you will find rest for your souls.” That stands as an irrevocable promise.


The book of Hebrews carries an extended treatment on the subject of rest. Here rest seems to be code for the heavenly rest that awaits the believer when he dies. Rest isn’t just the current condition but it is both the current state of the soul coupled with the fulfillment yet to be experienced in eternity.


In the fourth chapter there are two verses that capture this “now and not yet” aspect of rest. On the one hand it states “For we who have believed enter that rest…” (Hebrews 4:3) Every believer has that present sense of being in the rest that Christ gives. We’ve ceased from our dead works (Hebrews 6:1) and we’ve entered into the works prepared in advance for us to do, which are by grace (Eph. 2:10)


On the other hand, there is also a sense in which we’ve not yet entered that rest. A few verses later in Hebrews four we read, “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:11)


This sounds like one great oxymoron. We’re striving, i.e., working to cease from work. We’re doing this while currently resting. Talk about your conundrums! This is incredible. While not working, we must work to not work. It all seems to be nothing more than a contradiction in terms.


But, abiding in Christ is work. We do have to strive to not labor in our own strength. The easiest thing for us is to become self-sufficient and self-righteous. It takes effort to remember to abide in Christ.


Am I striving daily to take time out from my busy, Martha-like, frenzy to quiet my heart and find my cadence with him? Am I accepting the yoke that he bears with me, or breaking loose in a full gallop of my own energies. I know for me that the urge to bolt is strong. My prayer for me and for you is that we might strive more to rest more. May we keep abiding in his rest with all our strength as he enables.