Finding True Rest IN God

Finding True Rest in God: Understanding Faith,
Fear, and Freedom
The journey to finding true rest in God requires understanding the delicate balance between faith, fear, and
freedom in our Christian walk. While many struggle with feeling they must constantly work to earn God's
acceptance, there is a better way.
What is the Right Kind of Fear?
The Bible speaks of fearing God as the beginning of wisdom, yet also tells us not to be afraid. This
seeming contradiction is resolved by understanding there are two types of fear:
• Fear of punishment or consequences
• Fear of losing intimacy and closeness with God
The healthy fear we should have is not being afraid of God, but rather fearing anything that could damage
our relationship with Him. Just as we wouldn't want to hurt a close relationship with a loved one, we
should fear allowing things to come between us and God.
Why Do We Struggle to Find Rest?
Many Christians struggle to find true rest because:
• They try to earn God's acceptance through works
• They focus on "dying to self" without living in Christ
• They worry about falling short rather than trusting in Christ's finished work
• They attempt to create their own righteousness instead of receiving Christ's
How Do We Enter God's Rest?
To enter God's rest requires:
1. Having faith in Christ's finished work
2. Ceasing from our own works of trying to earn acceptance
3. Understanding we are already accepted in Christ
4. Pursuing Christ out of love, not obligation
5. Allowing God's Word and Spirit to guide us
What Role Does God's Word Play?
The Bible is described as "quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword." It is:
• Alive and relevant for today
• Powerful enough for any problem
• Precise in revealing both God's nature and our true selves
• The source of strength for our spiritual journey
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to:
1. Before reading your Bible each day, pray "Search me, O God, and know my heart"
2. Stop trying to earn God's acceptance and instead rest in Christ's finished work
3. Make conscious choices to pursue Christ out of love rather than obligation
Ask yourself:
• Am I trying to earn God's acceptance or am I resting in Christ's finished work?
• What am I allowing to come between me and God?
• Am I pursuing Christ out of love or obligation?
• How can I better allow God's Word to guide my daily choices?