For the man that has entered into God’s rest has also himself rested from his own works, just as God did from his own.

Heb. 3:19; 4:9-11.

Just as God’s rest has been continuous, so is that of true Christians. Rest from what? From their “own works,” their former works at trying to justify themselves. No longer do they believe that they can earn God’s approval and gain everlasting life simply by their own efforts at compliance with certain rules and observances. They no longer assume that because of their course of conduct God just cannot deny them his blessing. That was the error of the faithless Jews who, by ‘seeking to establish their own righteousness, did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.’​—Rom. 10:3.

Rather, true Christians recognize that it is by the sacrifice of Christ Jesus that their sin is removable. And they rest in the knowledge that faith in Christ and obedience to his teaching are what bring Jehovah’s approval and life. Rather than being satisfied, as some are, to claim, “I am honest, I do not steal or lie or do immoral things, so surely that is enough!” true followers of Christ seek to apply all of Jesus’ teachings in their lives.

There are many, even among professed Christians, who believe that they have an inborn right to life and other blessings. It is difficult for them to admit that they were born sinners, without the right to life, and therefore wholly dependent upon God’s provision for granting them life. They tend to refuse counsel and reproof, even when offered in love. They are very reluctant to admit that they make mistakes. Their big concern is self-justification. They have not rested or desisted from their own selfish works, and so are not keeping God’s sabbath. Happy are those who do rest from their “own works” and enter into God’s sabbath of rest, because a splendid future awaits them.