(1Co 15:58 MSG) With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” I am praying about how to close this series out and where to go next. We have covered a lot of ground in this series thus far. We have learned about remaining in faith, standing on the promises of God, and never letting go our confidence, no matter how long it takes. This morning I am going to give you a reminder that your labor is not in vain. No matter how long you wait, just remember, you are not wasting your time.
In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul explains a great deal about the resurrection and our eternal inheritance. Paul explains how we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye – our perishable will clothe itself with the imperishable and our mortal will put on immortality. Paul teaches us that in Christ we are already victorious over death; death has no victory over us. Jesus took the sting of death and the power from the grave when He was resurrected from the dead. Our victory is now tied to Jesus the Christ and His victory over the kingdom of darkness. All of that is the backdrop for our text. After teaching such powerful truths Paul says, “With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.”
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s take a closer look:
1. With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground: As believers, we are to stand our ground. In other words, we are to operate in faith and patience because of what Jesus did! Jesus suffered, bled, and died; but He subsequently rose from the dead with all power in both heaven and in earth. Jesus conquered the kingdom of darkness and He passed on His authority to us. “With all this going for us,” we should be able to stand our ground! The KJV translates this “steadfast, immovable.” Once we understand what Jesus did and how that applies to our lives, we should be able to stand firm in faith and patience and not allow anyone or anything to shake us in any way. It is the will of God that we live a stable and secure life in Christ!
2. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master: Not only should we stand our ground so that we are not pushed backwards, but we should also not hold back so that we can move forward! Based upon what Jesus did, we should then get involved in the work of the Master, moving forward-ever and backward-never. You should view this day and every day as a blessing from the Father and an opportunity to be used of Him for His glory. God is always working. Instead of asking Him to bless what you are doing, why not ask Him to involve you in what He is already blessing? Patience enables you to be stable enough to get involved in the work of the Master!
3. Confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort: Faith is confidence in God and His Word. You must be established in confidence in every area of your life. Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44), so know that he will constantly lie to you and tell you that you are wasting your time reading the Bible and seeking to live what you learn. However, the Holy Spirit through Paul taught us that it is not a waste of time. Everything we do is a seed and as we seek to do the will of God, God will bring forth a righteous harvest in our lives. Never give up and be confident that your labor is not in vain!
Closing Confession: Father, I am established in Your righteousness. In and of myself I am not righteous. However, You sent Your only begotten Son Jesus to die in my stead. You made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for me, that I may be made the righteousness of God in Him. I have been made and declared righteous because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross and His subsequent resurrection from the dead. Jesus conquered satan, hell, and the grave. Jesus took the sting out of death. I am so rooted in this truth that I am able to stand my ground. I do not allow myself to get pushed back by the kingdom of darkness, but I rather move forward in the Kingdom of Your dear son. I know that my labor is not in vain. It is not a waste of time. I will reap my reward, in due season, if I refuse to give up! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
