The Mosaic Law never saved anyone.  As a matter of fact, the day the Law was given 3000 people perished.  The Old Testament Law was indeed holy and righteous but it is not what saved the sinner.  From Genesis to Revelation it is faith that saved the sinner.  Before Christ, it was faith in the sacrifice which was a symbol of our coming Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  After Christ, it is our faith in the actual Sacrifice, Jesus Christ, who redeemed us once and for all.  As Believers in Jesus Christ, we are a Covenant people, justified through faith in His finished work on the Cross.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of God’s People is their involvement in His rest.  Under the Mosaic Law, on the seventh day “…there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the Lord: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.” Exodus 35:2.  Death was the penalty for dishonoring the Sabbath and rest the reward.

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:9-11.  Our rest today is in the finished work of Jesus Christ.  Their (the Israelites of old)  “works” is what kept them in fellowship (redeemed) to God, the Father but it is their faith that saved them.  Without their continued fellowship with God, their faith would fail.  Without their works (sacrifices, feasts, Sabbaths, etc.), they had no fellowship because of sin. 

We rest in Jesus because our Redemption Plan is complete.  We do not work for our redemption any longer, we have faith in the Sacrificial Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who redeemed us.  This is why it is so important for our faith in Jesus Christ and HIS finished work not to fail, be redirected or misappropriated…it is our faith in HIM that keeps us redeemed to our Father.  The power of God is through the shed Blood of Jesus Christ. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.  It is not faith in our works, our feasts or our decrees and declarations which redeem us to God.  It is and always has been faith in the Sacrifice, the Atoning Blood of Jesus Christ that redeemed us to God.

Are you resting in God’s redemption plan through Jesus Christ’s finished work?  Has your faith in Jesus and His finished work been replaced by faith in the schemes of man for victory over sin?  To dishonor the Sabbath results in death and to honor the Sabbath results in rest.  A Child of God is distinguished, separated from the rest, set apart from the world by their rest in Jesus Christ….not their programs, methods and schemes of man.  – Donna Clark Warren