“Continue in the things of which you have learned and have been assured, knowing of whom you have learned them” (II Timothy 3:14).
Assured (Def): (Gr.): Pistoo from Pistos: Trusted, Faithfully True, Believed
The words of our Lord are applicable to our thought when He said:
“Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Rest (Def): (Gr.): Anapauo from Ana and Pauo: Repose, Refresh, Pause, Desist
In our contentious, fractious, pressure filled world of activities, events, emergencies, delays, and failures, we need to be able to Pause and find Repose and Refreshment in a Trusted and Faithful One to whom we can lay it all down and find rest.
The Apostle exhorted his young disciple, Timothy, to continue in that which he had learned and been assured. It is a very good thing, indeed, to have a solid platform in which to rely and find security. Like a great ship on the sea that can drop anchor and stay in place until the tossing of the waves stop and can move forward in the journey. There is a great need for us to desist from our labors, to drop anchor and find a place of rest, refreshment and renewal.
In the Epistle to the Hebrews the writer says:
“That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us; which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast and which enters into that within the veil” (Hebrews 6:18-19).
The Apostle said to Timothy, “knowing of whom you have learned them”. Jesus said:
“Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).
There is no greater Teacher then the Master Teacher, Jesus. The Apostle John said:
“The anointing which you have received of Him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing teaches you all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him” (I John 2:27).
Rest Assured in the trusted, faithful and true One as you abide in Him. As you do, His anointing will teach you all things and you will learn Christ in His Nature, Character, and Being in the love of the Father. Pause, Repose and Refresh in His Spirit and be fully assured of all you have learned of Him. His meekness, humility, and lowly heart will come forth and reassure you as you find your rest in His love.
Again, the writer to the Hebrews tells us there is a place of rest we can enter, that is available to us from the Father and is promised to us in the Son.
“Let us, therefore, fear lest a promise being left us of entering into His Rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. . .For we which have believed do enter into rest” (Hebrews 4:1, 3a).
Rest Assured by abiding in the trusted and faithfully true place in the Son, just as He has invited us to do. Rest in confident assurance of faith in believing in who He is, Son of God, Redeemer, Master, Good Shepherd and faithful High Priest of the Most High God. He is our Rock, our Fortress and High Tower. He is our Shield and Defender. He watches over us and protects us from all that would attempt to take us out of His hand.
Rest Assured there is a place for you as you learn Christ. Indeed, it is a learning process, this walk of faith. We are challenged every day. We go through many stress tests. It is never easy, this walk of faith. Many have fallen into sin, and fallen away from the truth:
“But you have not so learned Christ; if so be that you have heard Him, and have been taught by Him as the Truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:20-21).
Oh, my brother, my sister. Don’t wait until you are dead for someone to say to you, rest in peace (R.I.P.). Hear it today, hear it now, Rest in Peace, Rest Assured, in your faith in Christ Jesus, becuase you learned it from the anointing He gave you as you are abiding in Him.
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