So, I think the difference that I have with most of this kind of interpretation is over the understanding of the concept and meaning of "rest" on the one hand, and of the outworking of LOVE, on the other. To me, the understanding of Law as having moved into a matter merely of "spiritual principle" seems to allow God's Guidelines and Instructions for Righteousness to pass into a hazy realm of featureless "fuzzy feeling" ambiguity. As such, it seems to me that Divine Law and Revealed Righteousness no longer has any real teeth because there is no longer any real quantifiable standard for Holiness.
I get that by the above popular definition there is a rejection of "legalism" and a desire to elevate Law to a matter more than just a code written out on parchment, and I agree with that. In fact, it is my belief that that was the intent of God's Law all along, which is why God said of His Torah, "And these Words, which I command thee this day, shall be IN THINE HEART." (Dt. 6:6). I believe it had ALWAYS been the purpose of God that His Law be more than just a matter of written restrictions. And to that point Moses spoke of having a "CIRCUMCISED HEART" (Dt. 10:12-17). I think that the Hebrews at one time lost sight of that FULLER meaning of The Law, and that is why the Messiah came to clear up the true meaning, intent, and TRUE application of The Law . . . not to cancel The Law, or to do away with It entirely.
I agree with you concerning the Principle of Rest. But where I differ with you is that I do not think "resting in Christ" means the negation of God's requirement of obedience. I think that "resting in Him" simply means that we do not have to "work at God's willingness to save us". It is a kind of euphemism for trusting wholly in Him, that He has our Salvation in His control. We are to relax in knowing that, trusting that HE alone saves us, and therefore we need not live in anxiety about whether we are "good enough". But I do not see where believing this becomes an excuse that lets us off the hook for obeying His Directives or NOT DOING what He has instructed of us as His People. Neither do I think this was the Apostolic understanding.
I think this phrase "resting in Him" is akin in principle to "ABIDING in Him" (
Jn. 15:5). To "abide" in God, or in His Spirit means to persist in patient expectancy while drawing life directly from Him. For me, that means in contradistinction with drawing from ourselves, from our own strength of flesh. But such "abiding/resting" is neither wasteful idleness nor anxious striving. Too many Christian people, I think, interpret "resting" and "abiding" as meaning passive assent. Another related concept is to "wait upon The Lard". The classic Verse on "waiting" (Is. 40:31) describes a Believer who is anything but inactive, but IS so from a center of peace and calm, from a deep-seated trust in God. "Resting" in Him does not give is permission NOT TO DO (and I believe most of you would agree with me on that point). Rather, it permits us the occasion to sink deeply away from our own fleshly strength and ability, that WE MIGHT RENEW OUR STRENGTH. And why should we need to renew our strength? In order that we might fulfill Dt. 6:5 in the way He intended. That by letting HIM renew our strength with His Spirit and Power (
Zech 4:6), we are ABLE to love Him with all of OUR strength and heart . . . just as He had intended.
"Resting", "Abiding" for me means to draw supernatural strength from The Presence of The Lord and walk moment-by-moment in the leading of The Holy Ghost. It has nothing to do with invalidating the authority or perdurability of The Torah.
Evidences of Abiding/Resting in God include:
* Bearing spiritual fruit
Jn. 15:17-11;
Jn. 15:16
2 Pt. 1:8-10
Jms. 5:7
* Hearing The Word and keeping It
Lk. 8:15
* Loving God and DOING what He says
Jn. 14:23
1 Jn. 2:6
* Loving others
1 Jn. 2:10-11
* Trusting God and making Him your Refuge
Ps. 91:1-2
* Hating the World's system
1 Jn. 2:15-17
* Remaining steadfast in the faith of The Gospel
1 Jn. 2:24
To the root of the Sabbath Principle is this concept of "REST". But where it seems I differ with a lot of you is that "resting in Him" to me doesn't mean NOT keeping His Commandments as written in His Book. Resting in Him not only doesn't mean NOT keeping His Commandments, to the contrary if we rest in Him we ARE going to keep His Commandments, but it will be from a different source of power.
"Spiritual Works" are not less WORKS, they are just works that are borne on the wings of His Spirit working in and through us. I mean, that is how I understand this concept of "rest".
True "Saving" Faith is not passive assent, rather it must have a deliberate, forward-moving component. This principle continues to hold true through the Believer's subsequent life of sanctification. True faith makes active response a necessity.
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." --
James 2:26
Active response means obedience to God's Word. Not in a "legalistic" sense of EARNING Salvation, but as an obedience motivated by Love for God. Therefore, true New Testament faith, as I understand the concept, is a working faith that is spontaneously PRO-ACTIVE and PRODUCTIVE.
It produces the Fruits of Holiness!
Jms. 1:21-25
True faith, as I understand the concept, is obedient to God's Commandments (
1 Jn. 2:3-7;
1 Jn. 5:1-3;
Jn. 14:15;
Jn. 14:23-24). Without minimizing the role of mental belief or even heartfelt sentiment, we have to keep in mind that just "believing" something is not what The Bible means when It speaks about having faith. As Apostolic Pentecostals, I think most of us already understand that point. A "faith" that does not issue in works of obedience to God is simply not Bible faith. Someone said to me, Yes, but as Christians OBEDIENCE is not required of us.
To that person I responded, What then are we to do with
1 Peter 1:22 and
Hebrews 5:9 which DO require obedience of the Christian?
Still, I understand people's hesitancy. We want to obey God out of a correct motive and steer clear of any "legalism". While it is true that a "faith" that does not issue in works of obedience to God is not Bible faith, it is also true that neither is obedience to Bible Commandments that arise out of mere mechanical sentiment, strict adherence to religious formalism, or ritualistic loyalty to cultural tradition without real conviction and love. I am of the thinking that BOTH the inner as well as the outer elements must be in manifestation for it to be considered true faith as defined by The Bible . . . which is the only kind of faith God accepts (
Heb. 11:1, 6;
Heb. 10:38).
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