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Summary
When Striving Ceases and Christ Remains explores the paradox of spiritual rest—how God continues His deep, transforming work in us even as our own striving comes to an end. True rest is not the absence of God’s dealings but the assurance that what He began, He will complete. As self is crucified and Christ is formed within, believers learn to trust the process, rest in God’s faithfulness, and walk together as one body. This rest is rooted in trust, impartation, and living from Christ’s life rather than our own effort.
Show Notes
- God’s rest does not cancel His work; it anchors us while He continues it
- The assurance that God finishes what He begins brings deep inner rest
- Striving harder does not satisfy the soul—rest in Christ does
- Spiritual rest coexists with transformation, crucifixion, and inner dealings
- Displeasure with self often signals God’s deeper work within us
- Rest is not passivity; it is trust in God’s faithfulness and process
- True growth comes byimpartation, not information or knowledge alone
- Our life is no longer our own—it is Christ living in us
- Trust is cultivated through the Word, which connects us to the Father
- The Body of Christ grows together; no one walks this path alone
- God has already brought us into rest—we are learning to live from it
- Focusing on who Christis, not who we are not, sustains spiritual rest
Quotes
- “There’s a place of rest we can move into in the Lord Jesus that satisfies us right down to the root.”
- “Our energy ceases, but the travail of our heart does not.”
- “What He began in us, He is going to complete.”
- “The deeper God goes in our hearts, the more displeasure we have with ourselves—and that is His good pleasure.”
- “It’s not knowledge; it comes by impartation.”
- “When you begin to rest, you trust—and trust is the key.”
- “Don’t look at what you’re not. Look at what He is.”
Scriptural References
- Philippians1:6–He who began a good work in you will complete it
- Galatians2:20–I have been crucified with Christ… Christ lives in me
- Colossians3:3–Your life is hidden with Christ in God
- Revelation6:2–Conquering and to conquer
- Hebrews4:9–11–There remains a rest for the people of God
- Romans8:10–Christ lives in you
- Philippians4:8–Whatever things are pure… think on these things
Takeaway
True rest is not found by striving harder, knowing more, or doing more—it is found in trusting that Christ is faithfully completing His work within us. As our effort ceases, Christ remains. In that place of rest, transformation continues, life is imparted, and we learn to live not from ourselves, but from Him—together, as one body.