Steadfast in Doing Good

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:56-58)

Just before this passage, we read that when the trumpet sounds Christ will return, and the dead will be raised to new life. On that day all will be new. On that day death will lose its sting, for ultimate victory belongs to Christ. On that day we will see that the eternal glory of Christ and his kingdom were well worth the wait. On that day, when we hear voices from every nation, tribe, and language singing God’s praise, we will know that our work was not in vain.

Looking ahead to that day may leave our hearts longing. Longing for the day when the race is complete and our work in this fallen world will finally be done. But we must not be discouraged! It is in this time of waiting and longing that we are called to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”  We are not, however, given this command without good reason. There are at least two reasons in these verses to be steadfast in doing the work of the Lord.

First, in verse 57 we are told that God gives us victory through Christ Jesus. Jesus’ victory over sin and death is counted as our own so we can be confident that joyous day will come. Second, we are told to be steadfast because in the Lord our labour is not in vain. Our short lives matter and God intends to use us for his glory and for the expanding of his kingdom. Let us be steadfast in working for the Lord, knowing that he has the victory, and our work is not in vain.