The faith-rest life is that function of the Christian in which Biblical promises and doctrines resident in the soul are applied to experience. The faith-rest life is not limited to claiming God's promises, but also includes thinking the divine viewpoint of life. The faith-rest life claims God's promises through faith and claims God's blessings through consistent metabolization and application of Bible doctrine resident in the soul.

The Mechanics of the Faith-Rest Life

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'" And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. (Hebrews 4:1-3)

The Faith-Rest Life and the Old Testament Believer

The faith-rest life was the basic system of spirituality for believers in Old Testament times as stated in Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 4:17-21, and Hebrews 11:1-6.

"See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright--but the righteous will live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4)

As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed--the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. (Romans 4:17-21)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:1-6)

The indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit did not occur until the beginning of the Church Age as stated in John 7:39, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 5:16, and Ephesians 5:18.

By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. (John 7:39)

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Galatians 5:16)

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

The Power of the Faith-Rest Life

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

The Production of the Faith-Rest Life

The faith-rest life provides power in prayer as in Matthew 21:22 and Mark 11:24.

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:22)

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)

The faith-rest life provides victory over fear according to Psalm 56:3.

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. (Psalm 56:3)

The faith-rest life produces blessing for others as in Matthew 8:13.

Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour. (Matthew 8:13)

The Faith-Rest Life and the Christian Way of Life

The faith-rest life is related to spiritual maturity and loving the Lord according to Psalm 37:4-5.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: (Psalm 37:4-5)

The faith-rest life is the modus operandi of the priesthood of the believer according to 1 Corinthians 2:5 and 2 Corinthians 5:7.

So that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. (1 Corinthians 2:5)

We live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

The faith-rest life is related to the function of the grace apparatus for learning Bible doctrine as in Colossians 2:6-7.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)

The faith-rest life is related to the victory of the angelic conflict as stated in 1 John 5:4.

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

How Do We Faith-Rest it?

We accomplish faith-rest by allowing the Holy Spirit to control our souls as stated in Galatians 5:22.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (Galatians 5:22)

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'" And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. (Hebrews 4:1-3)

We accomplish faith-rest by utilizing faith-rest under abnormal circumstances according to 1 Peter 1:7-8.

These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, (1 Peter 1:7-8)