February 21, 2023
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
What it means
Isn’t this a cool passage of scripture? The apostle Paul is writing his first letter to the church at Corinth, and right before this verse are some of his writings that I have used extensively in many of the funerals that I have conducted: “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?””
But back to verse 58…we are told to stand firm, and to always give ourselves fully to any work that God may ask us to do on his behalf, and if we can do that… “your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
What it means to me
Have you ever worked hard on a project, only to have something happen that ruins your entire effort and you find yourself thoroughly frustrated that you have wasted much time and energy for nothing? Rest assured, if you do any Kingdom work for The Lord, that will never happen. He will always bless the work of your hands and make sure that your efforts avail much fruit, because He is blessed in the process. The message is very similar to what we read in Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” And again…God is pleased, He blesses your effort, and all is well! So stand firm, and give God your best…because He wants to give us His best in return, and He will!
Love you guys, talk to you on Thursday!
In Christ,
Brian