Spiritual Labor Day

[PATrobas]

Reminders - Spiritual Labor Day

            The first Monday in September is observed as Labor Day in the United States. It is a federal holiday established by Congress in 1894 to recognize the achievements and hard work of American workers by giving them a paid day of rest. (So, why isn’t it called Rest Day???) It marks the unofficial end of summer and start of the new school year. The Scriptures encourage physical labor to provide personal sustenance and to have enough to give to others that need help.  ^{Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10} They also speak of a kind of labor borne by trying to live under the law. This results in a person becoming heavy laden by the burden of sin when not meeting the law’s standard. Thus, Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” ^{Matthew 11:28} He has done the work of fulfilling the law and paying the penalty for all who have broken the law. Then there is the labor that results from obedience to Jesus as He calls us to Christian work, “Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.” ^{1 Corinthians 3:8} There is hard work, and suffering and tribulation in obedience. Even so, we are called to rest.

            We should all be familiar with the meaning of the Sabbath, which is to cease work and to rest one day a week. But there is also a spiritual day of rest spoken about in Hebrews 4:9-10, “There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His.” This speaks of allowing God to do His part in our walk every day of the week. God has done all the necessary work by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and will complete His work of salvation in an individual’s life when they believe it. Our part is to be obedient by telling others of His mercy and grace. We can’t save anyone, even ourselves, for that is God’s job. All we can do is testify of His work through Jesus in us. Jesus is the Christian’s sabbath. We rest in Him, not a day.

            Final Thoughts: Hebrews 4:11 says this, “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Laboring to enter into rest seems to be an oxymoron until we see that the word labor in this verse doesn’t mean to work hard, but rather “be quick and diligent” to rest in what God has already done. It means to make it a top priority to recognize that it is God, not us, who does all the spiritual work. He will use us if we are available to Him, but we are simply tools resting in His hands. The tool must never try to operate on its own, “For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” ^{Philippians 2:13}

[Neighbor]

Labor? Seems a rather outdated word in today's USA doesn't it? Who really needs a rest day today?