Basic TrainingBible MinistriesGene CunninghamBasic Training Bible Ministries KBKnowledge Base

What is faith-rest?

Faith-rest is the spiritual rest available to the believer only in the presence of God (Exod. 33:14; Ps. 116:7). It is not heaven; it is spiritual maturity - a life of maximum production and blessing, where we learn to love the battle by resting on God's power. It cannot be found by escaping our problems: there comes a time when we must stand on God alone rather than lean on anyone else. Outside of faith there is only chaos, and spiritual rest is unattainable to those who will not believe (Isa. 28:12; 30:15; 57:20-21; Matt. 11:28-29).

God has provided in His Word a solution for every problem we will ever face, and we enter His rest when we believe His Word (Heb. 4:1, 3). Faith alone pleases God, and without faith it is impossible to please Him (Heb. 11:2, 6). The faith-rest technique is claiming biblical promises daily until our faith grows strong. We should not fear living out our lives in a wilderness experience of test and failure, but rather fear failing to enter the faith-rest life by not taking God at His Word (Heb. 4:1). Daniel illustrates faith-rest: he rested in a pit while King Darius paced in his palace.

Jesus invites the world to the rest of salvation (Matt. 11:28) and the rest of spiritual growth (Matt. 11:29). The Promised Land is a picture of spiritual maturity and entrance into the full enjoyment of divine blessing, where every battle is still won by faith-rest. The rest God gives is eternal in nature (Rev. 14:12-13); for all who reject Christ, there is eternal unrest (Rev. 14:11).

Also asked: What is the meaning of faith-rest in the context of the Bible and how does it relate to spiritual maturity? · What is the significance of the Promised Land in the Bible and how does it relate to entering a life of faith-rest?
Also asked, more loosely
How can I learn to love the challenges of life by relying on God's power instead of my own abilities?

Source: The Basics The Basics — Faith-Rest · Read this lesson in the book →

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appears on 1 page of The Basics · cited by 20 other questions
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Lesson 4–3: Testing—Temptation

Lesson 3–4: The Climb—Spiritual Growth

Lesson 4–4: Proving—Faith-Rest

Lesson 3–5: The Goal—Spiritual Maturity

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