4D LABOR

First Comes Rest, then Labor! This statement seems contradictory to our common three dimensional view of work. We think of resting after we labor. Yet Sunday precedes the new "work week."  Before starting a new job or difficult task most of us like to get "a good night’s rest." Furthermore, as babes in arms we started our journey in this world completely carefree!

TWO CALLS

Two calls have been extended to every soul born into this world. They are calls given by Jesus Christ himself to every human being regardless who or where the person may be.

The first is a call to rest from our works:

Come unto me all you who labor

and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.

– Matthew 11:28 –

The second is a call to rest in Christ’s work:

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart,

and you shall find rest unto your souls.

 – Matthew 11:29 –

TWO CURSES

Adam, by his transgression, subjected us all to hard labor.

Cursed is the ground for thy sake.

In sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life

....In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread

till thou return unto the ground.

– Genesis 3:17b,19a –

  Note the ground, not Adam, received the curse.

It was Jesus Christ, the Second Adam, who came to provide for us eternal rest:

For we who have believed do enter into rest.

– Hebrews 4:3a –

But note again the Lord Jesus Christ became accursed for you and me because we have all sinned and broken God's commandments:

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law,

having been made a curse for us; for it is written [in Deuteronomy 21:23],

"Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree."

-Galatians 3:13

Is not his the reason people use that beautiful name in profanity as they do no other?

MANY CURES

When we become a true believer in Jesus Christ, our entire perspective is changed. A job should no longer be a drudgery. The point is, we no longer work for our employer. We work for Christ to our employer’s benefit as a testimony whether he or she appreciates it or not!

Servants, be obedient to them who are

your masters according to the flesh...

with good will doing service as to the Lord, and not to men.

– Ephesians 6:5,7 –

And whatsoever you do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

– Colossians 3:17 –

Someone has put it tersely:

I will not work my soul to save, for that my Lord has done;

    But I will work like any slave for love of his dear Son!

There is much more that can be said on this subject, of course. But I trust this supplements the idea of the transformation that takes place in the human heart and life when Jesus Christ the Son of God enters one's being, for it is

Not by works of righteousness which we have done,

but according to his mercy he saved us

by the washing of regeneration and

renewing of the Holy Spirit.

– Titus 3:5 –

Next Page: Counseling in 4D

Clyde W. Brogan. Publication Rights Reserved (See Home Page Footnote)