[Jesus said:] "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

   In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. When a person works, his pay is not given to him as a gift. He earns the pay he gets. But a person cannot do any work that will make him right with God. God is the One Who can make even those who are evil right in His sight. Jesus Christ did what God wanted Him to do. And because of this, we are made holy through the sacrifice of His body. Christ made this sacrifice only once, and for all time.

   Everyday the priests stand and do their religious service. Again and again they offer the same sacrifices. But those sacrifices can never take away sins. But Christ offered one sacrifice for sins, and it is good forever. Then He sat down at the right side of God. And now Christ waits there for His enemies to be put under His power. With one sacrifice He made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also tells us about this. First He says: "In the future I will make this agreement with the people of Israel," says the Lord. "I will put My teachings in their hearts. And I will write them on their minds." Then He says: "Their sins and the evil things they do - I will not remember anymore." And when these have been forgiven, there is no more need for a sacrifice for sins.

   So, brothers, we are completely free to enter the Most Holy Place. We can do this without fear because of the blood of Jesus' death. We can enter through a new way that Jesus opened for us. It is a living way. It leads through the curtain - Christ's body.

   We who have believed are able to enter and have God's rest. For anyone who enters and has God's rest will rest from his work as God did. So let us try as hard as we can to enter God's rest. We must try hard so that no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey.

Taken from Matthew 11, Romans 11, 4, Hebrews 10, 4, The New International Version,
The New American Standard and The Everyday Bible. For free Lifescope book,
write to Box 1575, Carlsbad, NM 88221. Please send $1.00 for postage and handling.