YOUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD
Wednesday 23
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)
READ: 1 Corinthians 15:50–58
Our text is part of Paul’s discourse on the resurrection of the dead and the taking up of the believers (1 Corinthians 15:50–55). Remember, the Books of the Bible were not written in chapters and verses, that came in after hundreds of years, and that was done for easy reference. The text to this teaching is the statement made by Paul and it is an admonition. Believers are admonished to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. They should know that their labour in God’s kingdom or vineyard is not in vain.
In other words, whatever you are doing to propagate or expand God’s kingdom on earth is not in vain. Your efforts and contributions are not unnoticed. Such efforts will be rewarded at the right and appropriate time (Hebrews 6:10). It is this steadfastness and immovability that many believers cannot comply with. There are challenges in working for God, either on a full-time basis or as a lay leader. At the time of challenges or distresses in the course of doing the work, many believers find it difficult to remain steadfast and committed. Many have moved away from what they are assigned to do, especially because of material needs (2 Timothy 4:10).
There is always a reward in being able to wait and stay put in the work, even when it seems that nothing is working. It is not about the challenges or tribulations or whatever. Many believers who find themselves doing one thing or another in God's vineyard or kingdom could simply just not be patient enough.
The work of ministry could be full of intricacies, and it could be demanding and toll-taking on the person, but the price cannot be more than the grace. The grace given by God to do the work is always sufficient. Grace is sufficient, but a measure of determination and commitment are needed to be added if you are going to stay put in the work when it is rough and tough.
If your eyes are still on the alternatives—other opportunities that you think you have, it might be difficult for you to stay put or committed or steadfast when it gets rough and tough. If you are in the ministry with the mind that if it does not work, I have my profession, or my certificates, I will simply go back into the secular and be doing the ministry work partially—on part-time basis—whilst I will get busy with my secular work in order to make money. That may sound good. In fact, you may see countless numbers of believers who are doing the ministry work like that today.
There are people who are advocates of that today—those who preach and teach it. They tell you that if you are fully on the work of ministry, you become a nuisance and be begging. Now, there is not any ironclad rule about it. It all depends on the individual believer and his walk with God. In your walk with God, how does He wants you to go by it? There are those who are given a go ahead by God to get engaged in other things while they are doing the ministry work, whilst some are not given the grace or privilege of doing that.
If these category of people ventured to do any other thing in addition with the assignment given to them, God will leave them. In fact, it has led to terrible experiences like sicknesses and deaths in some instances.
Abounding in the work of God is not a joke and should not be taken for granted. Whatever God assigned you to do, be sure you are doing it; be steadfast in it and immovable in it. In other words, you do not abandon the work and run away from it. You should abound in the doing of the work. Know that your labour in God’s vineyard or kingdom is never in vain in the Lord (Hebrews 6:10).
You do not look at other people who are not doing the work given to them, if you do, you may want to copy them and that may be calamitous at the end. The reason why you should not look at others who are not doing it is because the race is individualistic. That is, the race set before you is different from that of others you are looking at or comparing yourself with (Hebrews 12:1).
The only person who your eyes should be fixedly gazing upon is Christ Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). You may learn from a few other people who are doing what is similar to what you are doing and making progress in it, but Jesus Christ should primarily be the One you are looking unto.
• Your looking unto Christ will not make you disappointed (Psalm 34:5).
• You will not be discouraged when you set your gaze on Christ Jesus.
• You move from glory to glory as you look unto Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18).
• As you continue to behold Christ, you see yourself being transformed into the image of Him from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 3:18).
REFLECT:
• Are you currently facing discouragement or the temptation to abandon the assignment God has given you?
• Are you fixing your eyes on Christ alone, or are you distracted?
Peace.
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