Why do we not find rest?

1 John 5

Today John again wants us to understand what it means to love God and to love one another.  We love God by keeping His commandments.  John adds that His commandments are not grievous; they are not heavy and burdensome.  God’s commandments are not burdensome and hard for people who have overcome the world through the Spirit of God.  God’s commandments are hard when we want to hold on to the world and live in the flesh and not in the Spirit of God.  When we walk in the Christ, and we allow Christ to do the work, keeping His commandments are natural and preferred. 

Matthew 11: ²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.   ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.   ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

There should be rest in Jesus.  Why do we not find rest?  Two reasons are given here in 1 John and in Matthew; first we do not learn of Him or we have not kept His commandments that we have learned.  We are not doers of the Word as James puts it.  Secondly we do not find rest because we are not in the yoke of God.  The yoke is made for two animals not one.  It tied the two together so the work was easier for both.  When one person has a yoke on that is built for two, especially when the second person is Christ, the yoke becomes heavy and hard.  So find your rest by listening to God and going the ways of God.

Confidence comes from working with Christ.  And we know God will give us anything we ask if we are working for Him, and with Him.  When we have set ourselves free, (really when we have allowed the Spirit to set us free) from the things of this world and the things of the flesh we find supernatural power in and through prayer.  Our prayers will change everything and move mountains.

The chapter ends with Christ giving us truth and understanding.  Walk in that truth and keep yourself from idols.  Idols are anything you put before God.

What an awesome little book!  The key to power and victory can be found by implementing the truths found in 1 John.  If you find that you have time, reread it and allow the truths to consume you.

This weekend we will read 2 John as many times as we can.  Read and reread the book meditating on what God is trying to communicate to us.  Ask the Spirit to show you truth and allow your Spirit to feed on this amazing spiritual food.

Share how the reading is going as well as any questions or concerns with us.