LABOR THAT CANNOT BE LOST

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

In the last verse of this chapter, Paul exhorts the Christians at Corinth to accept, believe, and put into practice, the inspired teachings revealed to them in this chapter of his letter. Preserved by God for our edification, the same message applies to all Christians today. The verse begins with the word, therefore, which indicates that what follows validates, and encourages the acceptance of the preceding teaching found in this chapter. The teaching found here established that Jesus Christ overcame physical death by His resurrection. With this as a certain example, Paul assures the Corinthians that there will be a universal resurrection for all people of the earth. This resurrection will take place with the second coming of our Lord. The physical bodies of those alive, and the corrupted bodies of those in the grave, will be changed into a body like that of Jesus Christ that is suitable for eternity. The unrighteous will inherit eternal punishment, but the righteous will celebrate the victory over death and inherit an eternal life of bliss in the presence of God in heaven.

Again, notice the verse preceding the lesson text. Paul wrote, But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Then begins the text of this lesson, Therefore - in light of this truth previously mentioned, faithful, believing Christians will be given, through our Savior, Jesus Christ, victory over death, will experience resurrection from death, and will enjoy eternal life in heaven. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast (and) unmovable. Because of their similarity, it seems appropriate to discuss these two Christian characteristics together. Both traits can be seen in Paul's letter to the church at Colosse. His admonition to them was to continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard (Col. 1:23a). The apostle Peter warns Christians to beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness (2 Peter 3:17b).

Becoming a Christian is, indeed, a wonderful thing, which brings great joy to all in heaven. However, remaining a faithful Christian is even more important. In quotations used previously, Paul indicates that it is possible that a Christian can be moved away from the hope of the gospel, while Peter tells us of the possibility of being led away with the error of the wicked. Becoming a Christian is the first step toward eternal salvation, but many faithful steps are needed thereafter to assure it. The Hebrew writer tells us that through unbelief, Christians can depart from following the will of God. It is possible for the heart to be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, for we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end (See Heb. 3:12-15). Therefore, Christians, heed this warning from Paul: be ye steadfast (and) unmovable.

The final admonition of Paul in the lesson text, is that Christians, in order to continue in God's grace, were to be always abounding in the work of the Lord. Afterwards he tells us why: ...forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. The work of the Lord is a labor of love (1 Thess. 1:3; Heb. 6:10). As such, doing the will of God is not a burden to bear, but an honor, a privilege, and a true joy to be engaged in. With this as the ideal Christian's attitude, the work of the Lord will abound. It is love for God, and for one's fellow man, that brings zeal into Christian service and works; there is an eager interest; there is an enthusiastic, ardent devotion to demonstrate true Christian love. Those that have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, and walk ...in Him; those that are rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, will be found abounding therein with thanksgiving (Col. 2:6-7).

Paul's prayer for the Christians at Thessalonica was that the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, ...to the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father ( Thess. 3:12-13). It is the fulfilling of God's will for all Christians, filled with love for Him, and for all mankind, to be zealous of good works (Titus 2:14). To all faithful, obedient brethren, that are steadfast, unmovable, (and) always abounding in the work of the Lord, God makes this promise:...your labor is not in vain in the Lord - it is, indeed, a Labor that Cannot be Lost. The reward is happiness in life here on earth, but, more importantly, eternal bliss in heaven.