AS GOD by C. Castberg

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 1, 1902

“AS GOD.”

By C. Castberg

“Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.” Eph. 5:1, R.V.

Notwithstanding the commonly accepted view that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is nowhere enforced in the New Testament, a close perusal of the fourth chapter of Hebrews will show that it contains one of the strongest proofs in regard to the obligations of Christians to keep the day which the Lord Himself blessed and sanctified in the early morn of this world's history.

In this and in the preceding chapter, the apostle lets the history of ancient Israel pass in review before us, showing how their lack of faith frustrated the plans of God respecting themselves, and debarred them from that rest which a childlike confidence with an unwavering obedience, brings to every individual who fears the Lord. They could not enter into this rest “because of unbelief.” Heb. 3:19.

“Let us therefore fear,” the apostle continues, “lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest.” Heb. 4:1–3.

This blessed rest is, to the true follower of Christ, an every-day experience; for Jesus says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt. 11:28, 29. This does not mean cessation from labor, or idleness; but a tranquil, peaceful state of mind and body, though the storms of temptation and adversity beat upon us, and the waves of unrest surge around us. A true Christian is never idle; he is a working man. His work may be hard, and the results seemingly small; but he has found rest, because he labors in faith, and his mind is stayed on the immovable rock, the promises of God. This rest brings to its possessor a peace “which passeth all understanding.” The difference between him and a worldly, carnal-minded man is that he himself has ceased to work; “for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Phil. 2:13.

No matter what the works of a true Christian are, whether they manifest themselves in the carrying out of his business or in the discharge of his spiritual duties, the works that he performs are the works of God. As it is “God which worketh in him both to will and to do,” his works are those which God “finished from the foundation of the world.” Heb. 4:3. “For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day in this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from ALL His works.” Verse 4. We see this grand truth emphasized in the productive power of the grass and other plants. The work they perform, the fruit they bear, is the result of God's work finished in these words, spoken before He rested on the seventh day, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit; . . . and it was so.” Gen. 1:11.

“Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein [into the rest], and they [the Israelites] to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief; again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To-day, after so long time; as it is said, To-day if ye will hear His voice harden not your hearts. For if Joshua had given them rest, then would He [God in David] not afterward have spoken of another day.” Heb. 4:6–8.

If Israel had been faithful to their divine trust, there is no doubt but that God would have led them from victory to victory until the whole world would have been conquered, and the earth filled with the “knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” This is plainly revealed in the song of “Moses and the children of Israel” at their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage. Christ, their invisible and invincible leader, would have guided them in His strength unto His holy habitation, and would have planted them in the mountain of His inheritance where He would reign forever and ever. See Ex. 15:1–18. But Israel fell short of the mark; Joshua did not give them rest, and so God speaks of “another day,” not of another Sabbath day, as some seem to think; but of another day of salvation, that is, the day of probation is extended.

“There remaineth therefore [because He has spoken of another day of salvation, in which “whosoever will” may find rest in Christ] a keeping of a Sabbath to the people of God.” Heb. 4:9, margin. The Greek word apoleipo, rendered “remaineth,” does not mean something future, but something that is “left” here with us; and the word is thus translated in 2 Tim. 4:13, 20. The day of salvation being prolonged, it follows of necessity therefore, that the keeping of the Sabbath, the great memorial of the rest of Jehovah, still remains or is left with the people of God. “For he that is entered into his rest,” he that is become a partaker of Christ, “he also rests from his own works, as God did from His.” Heb. 4:10, Norwegian translation.

But on what day did God rest from all His works?—On the seventh day, as brought to view in the fourth verse. In order to rest, then, as God rested, we must rest on the seventh day. No other day can be the rest-day; for the only day on which God rested was the seventh day. And only the one who has entered into His rest can really and truly enjoy the Sabbath rest; for his works “are wrought in God.” John 3:21. “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Heb. 4:11. C. CASTBERG.