Way of Rest - 2

Beloved of God,
 Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus, who paid the ultimate price for the salvation of man and has turned us from darkness to light. In the first part of our focus on The Way of Rest, we dealt with introductory matters. We sought to understand rest, explore the different kinds of rest and identify our area of interest.
 As we continue with our exploration, we enjoin you to request for the first part of the message, just in case you did not get it. You are also at liberty to forward these messages to others.
   THE WAY OF REST (2)
We will now focus on spiritual rest. To start with, we will consider two levels of spiritual rest.
 Active and Passive
Due to the upbeat motions of the society in which we live, and the prevailing spirit of competition, many tend to associate rest with laziness. It is important to note that the rest of God can be revealed both in active and passive forms. On the one hand, "rest" is capable of restraining the individual. On the other hand, it is capable of propelling the individual unto action.
When rest is revealed in the heart, it teaches self control, acting as a restraining influence even in the midst of pressure (see Psa. 46:1-3,10). Yet when, in addition to being revealed in the heart, rest is revealed in your walk, it teaches you obedience, acting as a catalyst even in the midst of complacency.
It becomes a walk or work in rest (see 1 Sam. 30:1-18, Jn. 5:1).
 While acknowledging the fact that both forms are important, we must warn that unless the passive phase of God’s dealings is fully worked out in a man, he cannot move on to the active phase. This leads us to consider the pattern of rest established in the beginning.
 In the Beginning
Before the fall, Adam and Eve enjoyed rest at all levels. Concerning spiritual rest, they had an intimate relationship with God; they had no reason for anxiety or fear; they had neither unpleasant memories nor corrupted imagination. In addition, their placement in a garden planted by the LORD guaranteed material and physical rest (see Gen. 1:27-29, 2:7-25).
When they fell from grace, they forfeited this glorious heritage. In declaring to them the frightful consequences of their transgression, the LORD did not mince words (see Gen. 3:14-19):
 *The serpent would bruise the heel of man.
*Sorrow would be an unpleasant factor in pregnancy and delivery.
*The man would rule over (or dominate) the woman; while the woman’s desire would be her husband (thereby manifesting a husband-focused mentality).
*The ground (or soil) would be cursed for their sake.
*In the course of time (and in physical terms, they would both die. Spiritual and physical death had become frightful realities.
 The above pronouncements were followed by the expulsion of Adam and Eve (and by implication the unborn generations of men) from the Garden of Eden, their earthly paradise and their symbol of wholesome rest. But even then, there was a ray of hope in the horizon. Based on the promise of God, the Seed of the woman (Jesus) would someday bruise the head of the serpent (Satan).
 Come Unto Me
Eventually, Jesus came to fulfil that which was declared. During one of His discourses, He gave this historic invitation: "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt.11:28). We need to examine closely the terms of this invitation. In the first place, the invitation is extended to those "that labour and are heavy laden" (or "who are weary and burdened" – NIV). The implication of Jesus’ words (which capture the state of all men) is that His invitation is extended to all.
 The benefit of accepting this offer is the rest that God gives. But the question arises: Multitudes have come to Jesus; how come this rest has eluded so many?