“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11).
Translated “be diligent” in Hebrews 4:11, the Greek word spoudazo is a vivid and energetic action verb. It is used in the New Testament to describe:
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The zealous commitment Paul had to remember the poor (Galatians 2:10).
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The intense effort each member of Christ’s body is to use to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).
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The eager and intense longing Paul had to see the Thessalonians again in person (1 Thessalonians 2:17).
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The earnest and focused toil needed to handle correctly God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15).
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The urgency Timothy needed to have so to visit Paul in Rome before his impending execution (2 Timothy 4:9, 21).
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The energetic concentration every Christian needs so to grow spiritually and thereby enter into the everlasting kingdom (2 Peter 1:10).
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The effort which “leaves no stone unturned” so a Christian can be found without spot or blemish and at peace with Christ (2 Peter 3:14).
In like manner, entering into God’s eternal/Sabbath rest is something which deserves your zealous commitment, intense effort, eager and intense longing, earnest and focused toil, urgency, energetic concentration, and effort which leaves no stone unturned.
No one enters into this rest accidentally.
