The Work & Rest of God

By Arthur J Licursi

In Hebrews 1:3 we read how the Lord Jesus Christ, “when He had by Himself purged our sins, SAT DOWN on the right hand of the Majesty on High.”

Hebrews 10 tells us why Jesus “sat down.” “Every priest standeth, daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same SACRIFICES, WHICH CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY SINS: But this man [Christ] AFTER HE HAD OFFERED ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOREVER (Gk., dienekes, continually), SAT DOWN on the right hand of God …FOR BY ONE OFFERING HE HATH PERFECTED FOREVER THEM THAT ARE SANCTIFIED” (Heb.10:11-14).

The phrases “sacrifice for sins FOREVER” and “ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOREVER” speaks of the continual effectiveness of the work of Christ to take away all “sins” – past, present and future. The word “perfected” is the Greek “teleios,” meaning “finished,” “completed,” or “consummated.” Jesus’ shed blood ever speaks on our behalf, taking away ALL our sins even after our salvation and without our asking.

Unlike John who writes to the scattered tribes of Israel under “the Law,” wherein John says “if we must confess our sins… God will forgive” (1John 1:9), Paul, as the Apostle of grace “to the Gentiles” (Rom 11:13), writes this below to the members of the “body of Christ” – who Paul says are “NOT under the Law but under grace” (Rom 6:14).

 “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened (made alive) together with him, HAVING (already) FORGIVEN YOU ALL TRESPASSES (sins)” (Colossians 2:13)

“HAVING (already) FORGIVEN YOU ALL TRESPASSES (sins)” is a past tense statement, a finished completed work of God on our behalf. Our sins are forgiven before we commit them.

We should note that there were several articles of furniture in the Old Testament tabernacle; there was the Table of Shewbread, The Golden Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense, but there was no chair. The priest could not sit down, for the work of redemption was not yet finished under the Old Testament. The Priest’s daily sacrifices only emphasized the fact that “it is NOT possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Heb.10:4).

All that was available before the cross of Christ was for those believers to have their sins “covered” by continual offerings of the blood sacrifice of animals. “Blessed (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) is he … whose sin is covered (concealed). Psalm 32:1

Only the blood of the Jesus as the “Lamb of God” that sins could be expiated or “taken away.” The offering of His own blood and life “finished” the works of redemption. “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30) Hebrews 9:12, (below) speaks of everlasting redemption – we are forever redeemed by the blood of Christ. Paul then also writes this. “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” (Hebrews 10:18). This eternal salvation and forever redemption by the forever taking away of our sins is the basis of our “helmet of salvation.” This helps us keep our heads about us when we fail or fall short during our sojourn on earth wherein we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

Thus Paul could write; “But This Man [CHRIST JESUS] SAT DOWN,” because by His death on Calvary — by that one offering — He paid for all our sins and “obtained eternal (Gk., aionios, everlasting) redemption for us” (Heb.10:12; 9:12).

This is why Paul, by divine inspiration, now insists that salvation is now only available “by grace,” that “it is the gift of God,” received “by faith” alone, and “not of works, lest any man should boast.” The finished work of Christ negates any need of the “works” of man toward salvation.

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, IT IS FINISHED: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost (Spirit).

God has much for His people to do, but before we can do anything for Him we must receive Him. We receive Him by trusting Him for our salvation; then we also may rest in the finished work of Christ cross on our behalf. Thus we are to “cease” from relying upon self-effort to obtain salvation.

Hebrews 4:9-10 THERE REMAINETH THEREFORE A REST TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD. ¹⁰ … he also hath CEASED FROM HIS OWN WORKS…

God is satisfied with Christ’s payment for sins and together the Father and the Son are depicted as seated in heaven because the work is done. And now God would have us to simply trust Him and enter into His rest.

If God is satisfied then we also ought to the satisfied and thankful for God love and grace toward us. Seeing God’s love and grace so freely given, we ought to be thus constrained in our daily life. FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONTROLS AND URGES AND IMPELS US, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died; (2 Corinthians 5:14a (AMP)