Rest.
Zion's Advocate, Vol. 43, No. 1, January 1904.
The force of the word "rest" is not realized by us at all times. It would serve no purpose in our vocabulary did we never become weary. The state of weariness is essential to an appreciation of an opportunity to rest, in fact it is essential to the rest itself, for none can rest except those who are weary. Rest is sweet to the weary. They rejoice in the privilege of resting from their burdens and toils, of laying aside their cares and peacefully reclining upon the couch of rest. To those who are laboring and heavy laden it is such a relief to rest from the wearisome toil and oppressive burden.Those who are in the love and service of sin could not rest from the burden of their sins, because they are not burdened with them. The Saviour did not address them when he said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." They are not laboring under a heavy load of guilt, for they prefer a life of sin to a life of holiness. Much money is being raised and great efforts are being put forth to save this class by human means, but it all ends in a complete failure. How very absurd it is to invite those who prefer a wicked life to a supposed rest to be found in becoming religious. If such are persuaded or excited to assume religious pretentions it is only heaping a burden upon them. Those who do not love holiness could have no greater burden than to attempt to practice it. To teach that the salvation of such is conditional is to teach that those who are not burdened with the hatred and distress of sin must engage in what is distasteful to them in order to be released from what does not burden them.
A hatred of sin and a burden of distress under its weight is never produced by gospel teaching, for those who love sin are not burdened with a sense of its real guilt are wholly unable to receive the things of the Spirit. They are only foolishness to them, and they cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned. Some of these may be persuaded to comply with what is taught to be conditions of salvation, but this is adding the burden of distress over a guilty conscience. The very idea of doing something in order to be saved proves that one would not do it were it not for the end to be attained, which proves that the doing of it is not really preferred.
From what we have said it appears that there are two classes of burdened people, one being those who are trying to be religious for the reward they hope to gain by their labor, and the other being those who are burdened with imperfections from which they are unable to release themselves. The former are conditionalists, the latter are subjects of grace. Look at the burdens of a conditional system! See how the people labor to "save" themselves and to "save" others! It is a wonderful task indeed! Much effort must be put forth to keep up the work at home and to spread it into "heathen lands." Millions of dollars are required to be raised yearly for this great work, and it is a work that many would fain be rid of. Some of these burdened ones say, "If I believed in election and predestination I would not be religious at all; I would just go on and take my fill of sin." How burdensome a "religious" life must be to such a person!
The burden of a subject of grace is so different from that of a conditional worker. Look at the penitent, heart-broken sinner! He grieves that he is a sinner, and longs to be justified, but cannot see how God cvan justify him and maintain his own purity. He hungers and thirsts after righteousness, but feels that he deserves not the favorable notice of God. Such a one is prepared to enjoy that rest which Jesus gives. "Come unto me, and I will give you rest." How sweet these gracious words are! It is not a command, it is not a condition proposed, it is the opening up of a precious privilege. The Father is already drawing such unto Jesus, so that the coming is by his drawing. All those laboring and heavy laden ones have been given to Jesus and he says they shall all come to him. In coming they receive a rest from their sorrowful labor.
The Jewish Sabbath was a type of this rest. God rested the seventh day from all his works. The Jews were required to work six days, but to rest on the seventh. This finds its fulfillment in the rest given to the laboring sinner. He labors to rid himself of his burden of sin, but finds no rest until the Spirit gives faith to trust entirely in Christ. "We which have believed do enter into rest." Hebrews iv. 3. It is by faith that God's children rest in Christ, when they cease from their own labors and trust no longer in their own works.
Those who have been brought to the enjoyment of this blessed rest are commanded to take the yoke of Christ upon them, having the promise of a rest to be found in doing so. Every one who has ever obeyed from the heart this form of doctrine has found rest in doing so. The faithful one who has promised this rest to his obedient children, never fails to fulfill the promise made by him. But the rest promised in obedience can never be found in the way of disobedience. That rest is so sweet. To feel conscious of having done what Jesus commanded and to have his approving love in the service rendered, afford a peace that is glorious indeed. Only give that peace, and the riches, honors, and pleasures of this sinful world sink into nothingness.
A rest is given to the care-worn saints when the toils of this weary life is over. That is by far the sweetest rest of all, for it is endless and is unmixed with trouble. How many tears of sorrow are shed by them here! But there all tears will be wiped from their eyes forever. How many afflictions befall them on the journey! But there afflictions are forever unknown. How great are the disappointments of this time state! But there perfect satisfaction is enjoyed in endless duration. How dark are the clouds that here beset their pathway! But there the Lord God is the unfading light of the city, and nothing can ever intervene to cast a shadow. Oh! blessed, blessed rest! Come quickly, dear Lord, and take us to that rest.
"When shall I reach that happy place, And be forever blest? When shall I see my Father's face, And in his bosom rest?"
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