Tuesday, July 12, 2022

July 12, 2020

I Corinthians 15: 58 (NIV)
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.
 God doesn’t ask us to be successful, only faithful.*
What situations might tempt us to believe that our labor for the Lord is in vain? Not enough money or appreciation? Being received with hostility or indifference? Not producing fruit at all? Any of these conditions could lead to discouragement. But Paul admonishes us to always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord – he doesn’t make concessions for extenuating circumstances. He doesn’t allow that we should consider giving up just because no one seems to be responding to the gospel. He reminds us of what we should already know: our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Ever.

I heard a comedian relate his experience with riding out a tornado in a houseboat. It was a dramatic and well-told tale but the ending is what stayed with me, even though I don’t remember the details: “It would have been more fun,” he said, “if I had known I was going to live through it.” We Christians have a clear advantage over this comedian. No matter how we get tossed about in life, we know that we have a happy ending to look forward to.

So stand firm. Continue to serve where God has called you no matter how futile your efforts may seem. Let nothing move you - except the Spirit of the Lord. And you will live happily ever after. Forever.
We are called to persevere, anticipating the day we’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” But in the meantime, wouldn’t it be nice to get an encouraging interim report?*

No comments:

Post a Comment