“Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable; always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know, that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1Cor 15:58
On the surface, this passage of scripture might seem to contradict the gospel of grace as a whole. If the grace of God is not contingent on our works, then why does this scripture mention anything about our labor. I believe the definition of labor is work, is it not? Anytime the Word of God seems to contradict itself, then a deeper look into the scripture in context is necessary. God is not schizophrenic. He certainly would not contradict himself. The church of Corinth was struggling in their belief system regarding the resurrection of Christ. Yes they had heard and some of them had seen him resurrect the dead, but resurrect himself was hard for them to fathom. Especially since there was another voice (doctrine) suggesting that the resurrection was a farce cooked but by the disciples to keep the movement going.
Isn’t it strange that most believers today do not struggle with the resurrection of Jesus, but do struggle with receiving that there is nothing we can do to earn righteousness. Why is it so difficult to understand that Jesus paid it all? We feel like if we do, or don’t do something that God will bless or not bless us.
We are urged to be steadfast and unmovable in our believing. Hold fast to what we have been taught that lines up with the Word of God. Let nothing separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Oh, what love; unconditional Love He has shown! We couldn’t ever be good enough to earn it. But He gave it anyway!
We are to abound in the work of the Lord, not our works! To abound means to be filled, rich, to be well, abundantly supplied. We do the natural things in the kingdom of God because of our stand in Him. When we really come to grips with how much He loves us, there is nothing we won’t do for Him. Our only labor is the work involved in believing. It’s work to take a stand and believe something we cannot see. Our entire faith is based on what we believe. For we walk by faith, not by sight.
