I Corinthians 15:58

“Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Part 2

When Paul speaks of “my beloved brethren” he is speaking not only to the Corinthian church but, to future believers regardless of doctrine or denomination. In this one passage we learn there are three things we are to be and one thing we are to know:

1. We are to be Steadfast. Notice Paul said to BE steadfast. Steadfastness is not something that the Lord just bestows upon the Christian. It is neither automatic nor instantaneous. Steadfastness is the result a decision of every believer…it is the result of choices made everyday, to feed the inward man the Word of God and spend time in conversation with God.

2. We are to be Unmoveable. Colossians 1:22 teaches us that we can stand before God unblameable if we continue in the faith, grounded and settled and not “moved” away from the Gospel. Our adversary, the devil, will use situations, circumstances and pressure from a Christless culture to move us away from our walk with God. Whether in the pulpit or in the pew, we need to declare and decree that no demon or devil can move us from our faith and trust in God. Be steadfast… unmoveable!

3. We are to be “Always Abounding in the work of the Lord”. Paul is not addressing this to a ministerial association. This that he says is to the church. The responsibility of doing the work of the Lord is not limited to pastors, evangelists, and missionaries. Although we are not saved by works, works are an expression and evidence of our faith. The fact is we are working against the clock. There is a limited time in which to get the work of the Lord done. Jesus said, “the night cometh, when no man can work”.

4. There is an unchanging truth that we must know Our Labor Is Not In Vain In The Lord! The Christian’s sacrificial labors in the work of the Lord do not always yield tangible, touchable and visible results in the here and now. The influence of a life lived, a witness given, and the teaching and preaching of the Word of God is not always measured by buildings, budgets and bulging crowds. Sometimes the results of labor are not known this side of heaven….nevertheless, be assured God is true to His Word of promise. The law of sowing and reaping is irrevocable….our sowing always brings a harvest.

For The Harvest,

Bob Wilburn