“Therefore, my dear brothers, 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.”—1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV84
At first glance, one would suspect this verse is only for ministers and missionaries, and those in “full-time” ministry. ‘Cuz they have the “time” to “always give [them]selves fully to the work of the Lord (emphasis added).”
And this may be a more reasonable understanding if this were to Titus, or Philemon, or Timothy…. But it is “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:2 NIV84), which seems to me to be a much broader audience than just those “in full-time ministry.”
So, if it is for all of us, what can we all harvest from this?
- We are all not to be moved from our faith in, focus on and Love for the Lord Jesus.
- We are all to “always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,” no matter what we are doing; we are doing it all for His glory (see 1 Cor. 13:31).
- We are all to “labor in the Lord” and not in our own strength. “Lord Jesus Christ, do “this” in me” and then—Go do it!
- We are all to “remember” our “Labor in the Lord is not in vain” or empty. We will receive our reward, the fruit of our labors.
Much can be said on each of these four points, but I want to encourage all to make sure we labor in the Lord and not for the Lord. And, I want us to not give up…. But keep on in true genuine Hope of genuine fruit from our genuine Labor in the Lord…. It. Is. Not. In. Vain!
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” —Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV84)
Shalom,
Pastor Mike