SPIRITUAL REST by E. E. Andross

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Apr 25, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 17.

SPIRITUAL REST.

By E. E. Andross

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. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Matt. 11:28-30. If the presence of Jesus means rest to the weary, the heavy laden, the distressed, the heart-burdened, to be out of His presence means that all these burdens must be borne alone. How often do those whose load seems more than they can carry, seek human sympathy, perhaps pouring their troubles into the ear of one whose heart is already overburdened and knows not where to find rest! This can not bring relief. There is no remedy within the reach of humanity for this heart trouble, save the one offered by the great Physician.

How tenderly does He address every sin-sick soul! How simple and yet how efficacious is the remedy! "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked," but "He [Christ] hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrow;" yea, "the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Having borne the burden of our guilt, He now desires to take it from our weary shoulders.

In the world of medicine there are many so-called remedies administered which, instead of removing the disease, simply deaden the sensibilities to pain, and so lower nature's flag of resistance, leaving the sick in a worse condition than before, tho they may feel much better for the time. So it is in the spiritual world. Knowing that many would seek relief from the burden of sin, the great deceiver has proposed many remedies. But unless these remedies agree perfectly with the great Textbook, we may know that they are not of heavenly origin. They are simply efforts to quiet an awakened conscience till the seeds of death have brought forth their awful harvest. "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." Jer. 6:14.

The way to true peace is found in the words of the meek and gentle Jesus, "Take My yoke upon you." The yoke is an instrument of service. Cattle are yoked, and the yoke is essential that they may labor effectually. By this illustration Christ teaches us that we are called to service as long as life shall last. We are to take upon us His yoke, that we may be co-workers with Him.

But how shall we serve Him and so find His rest?—"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Jer. 6:16. The "old paths" and the "good way" are the ways of God's commandments. Verse 19. "O that thou hadst harkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." Isa. 48:18.

In the presence of Christ there is soul rest. But to be in His presence is to walk with Him; it is to serve with Him; for He says, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me." To walk and serve with Jesus are to keep the Father's commandments; for when His life-work was finished, Jesus said, "I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love." John 15:10. Further, it is to delight in this law, to have it written in the heart: "I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart." Thus spake Jesus through the mouth of David. Ps. 40:8. One of the "exceeding great and precious promises" by which we become "partakers of the divine nature," is the following: "I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts." Heb. 8:10. "Therefore, the yoke that binds us to service is the law of God. The great law of love revealed in Eden, proclaimed upon Sinai, and in the new covenant written in the heart, is that which binds the human worker to the will of God."

It is the love of self that brings unrest. But this is the carnal mind—the mind of the flesh. "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh can not please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." Rom. 8:6-9. Where the Spirit of Christ dwells, self is renounced, and instead of seeking to be served, the life is spent in loving service. The burdens are rolled at the feet of Jesus, and in His service there is sweet rest. We then find that, truly, His "yoke is easy," and His "burden is light." He who walks in the way of God's commandments is walking in company with Christ, and in His love the heart is at rest. Blessed rest! Who would not enjoy it?

As the heart is yielded to God, and the will is swallowed up in His will, there is perfect peace and quietude. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest. As through Jesus, and in His presence we enter into rest, heaven begins here. Thus the joy of Christ—His joy of knowing that He was walking in the full approbation of His Father—is fulfilled in us. And, altho we may pass through the deep waters of affliction, we know that they shall not overflow us; or through the fire, we shall not be burned, and the flame shall not kindle upon us, for He is with us. Isa. 43:2. "Thou wilt show me the path of life; in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore." Ps. 16:11.

Liverpool, England.