Hebrews 4:1

Hebrews 4:1 says, Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.  This does not mean that those who truly believe in Christ as their Savior and Lord will be left out of God's kingdom.  It is a warning to those who do not truly accept Christ as their Savior and Lord, but only claim to do so.  Verse two adds, For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.  This verse simply states that hearing the gospel of Christ is not enough.  We must have complete faith in our salvation.  If we have really accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, then the Holy Spirit will be with us to guide and strengthen us through any trial or temptation.  Verse three continues, For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.  This is a promise of salvation, and it should leave those who believe at rest.  We cannot gain salvation by our works, but our salvation should lead us to work for God's glory.  Yet, even as we work, we should be at rest, secure in our salvation.  There is no reason to allow worry to control our lives.  The work of salvation was finished from the foundation of the world.  Though Jesus Christ was born at a particular place in time, His salvation applies for all time.  Verse four states, For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.  God created everything in six days, then He rested on the seventh day.  When it comes to salvation, we can rest from our works.  We cannot earn salvation, but we can rest assured in the gift of salvation through Christ.  Verse five adds, And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.  God rested after creating the heavens and the earth.  We cannot join God in His creating, but we can join Him at His rest.  This doesn't mean that there is nothing for us to do, but even if we have dominion over God's creation, it still occurs after He rested.  We are called to join God in His rest.  Verse six continues, Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:  There are still people to be reached for Christ, and this is our purpose as followers of Christ.  Though many have refused and still refuse to believe in the salvation of Christ, this does not mean that we are to give up on witnessing.  Verse seven says, Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.  Just as God told David, there is a day when each person will hear God calling him or her.  Though many will continue to harden their hearts against God, some will not.  Today is the only time we can be certain that we have, and that is why it is so important to say yes when God calls someone.  Verse eight adds, For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.  When we enter the rest of God, we do not need to speak of it happening someday.  After creating, God rested.  After redeeming mankind, Christ rested.  We as followers of Christ are to rest assured in our salvation.  Verse nine continues, There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  We can only find true rest through our relationship with Christ.  Verse ten concludes, For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.  When we accept salvation through Christ, we cease from our works to justify ourselves.  We acknowledge that we cannot do anything to earn our salvation.  Though God is still at work in the world today calling the lost to salvation, creation and redemption are already completed.  As followers of Christ, we are to work to spread the gospel to others, but we are at rest in our salvation.