Therefore, let us fear lest, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it.
Hebrews 4:1
Supporting Scriptures
2 Corinthians 6:1
As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
Galatians 5:4
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
Hebrews 4:11
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Hebrews 2:1-3
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip…
Hebrews 12:15,25
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled
Select Commentary
Benson: The fear here inculcated is not a fear of diffidence or distrust, of doubting or uncertainty, as to the event of our faith and obedience. This is enjoined to none, but is evidently a fruit of unbelief, and therefore cannot be our duty. Neither can it be a timidity or dismayedness of mind upon a prospect of difficulties and dangers in the way, for this is the sluggard’s fear who cries, There is a lion in the way, I shall be slain. Nor is it that general fear of reverence with which we ought to be possessed in all our concerns with God; for that is not particularly influenced by threatenings, and the severity of God, seeing we are bound always in that sense to fear the Lord and his goodness. But it Isaiah, 1 st, A jealous fear of ourselves, lest, having run well for a time, we should be hindered; should grow lukewarm and indolent, formal and dead, and so should fall from that state of grace in which we had once stood. 2d, A suspicious fear of our spiritual enemies, inducing us to watch and stand on our guard against them. For unto us was the gospel preached — That is, good news of entering into his rest have been brought to us; as well as unto them — The Israelites in the wilderness.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: The privileges we have under the gospel, are greater than any had under the law of Moses, though the same gospel for substance was preached under both Testaments. There have been in all ages many unprofitable hearers; and unbelief is at the root of all unfruitfulness under the word. Faith in the hearer is the life of the word. But it is a painful consequence of partial neglect, and of a loose and wavering profession, that they often cause men to seem to come short. Let us then give diligence, that we may have a clear entrance into the kingdom of God. As God finished his work, and then rested from it, so he will cause those who believe, to finish their work, and then to enjoy their rest
My Pondering
As Tony Evans wrote:
We are called to walk by faith not merely talk by faith
Tony Evans
and
God is more concerned with you ‘action’ than your ‘amen’.
Tony Evans
Like the Apostle James wrote about faith and works. The two are opposite sides of the same coin.
No, we can’t and should never try to work our way into salvation, for we know for sure its a grace gift. Only a fools would try to earn it by keeping the law or by merit.
Nonetheless, we should always cherish the precious gift of grace; the salvation divinely derived by Jesus Christ. We are exhorted to be diligent, ensure and labor earnestly with out give not to work FOR our salvation but rather to work OUT our salvation to that we don’t waste it being selfish or negligent.
This is a deep passage…a healthy Holy fear is a good thing. Its a reverent carefulness. “God is good but He is not safe” as CS Lewis wrote.
Yes, lets LABOR for master for dawn to setting sun!
Yes, there is time for rest and that’s why the Lord said work 6 and rest 1.
A brief prayer
Lord, guide us and keep us close to Your heart. Should we go astray, please be quick to retrieve us. Help me remain in awe of You.
Pondering Life : Pursuing God 