Promised Land? Or Wilderness?

Life in Christ is meant to be one of rest, peace, joy, confidence and yes, even power.

For many believers, though, life as a Christian is marked by striving, worry, strained relationships and doubt.

Many Christians, including myself know that there is much more to life in Jesus than church services and activities, but struggle to find that fullness.

Here is a lesson from history:

God delivered a massive number of Israelites from bondage in Egypt, yet only a small handful entered into the land of promise.

Jesus said, "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it [Matthew 7:14].

Israel, and their failure to believe and trust in God, are meant to be examples for New Covenant believers, yet many of us don't recognize that.

Hebrews 4: 9 There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, has also ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Let us labor... to enter into rest. That sounds weird, doesn't it. Such opposite terms, yet God's word calls us to that path.

We can rest, because God's works were finished from the foundation of the world [Hebrews 4:3].

God has provided all things required for life and godliness. He has even given us His very own divine nature to live by. What more can we possibly need?

2 Peter 1: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceedingly great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

So, let's put an end to our doubt, self-effort and striving. Let's simply believe God and take hold of His promises and provisions. We must learn to abide in Christ, and bear the fruit of His life and nature.

Hebrews 6: 11 We desire that every one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That you not be slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

This is the true path to life!