Jump Start # 645

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

Our passage today is the final verse in a long chapter about the resurrection of Jesus. Paul gives proof and consequences of the resurrection of Jesus. He was raised according to Scripture and was seen by many. Because He was raised, we will be raised. The hurt of death is lessened because of the resurrection. It’s a great chapter in the faith of all believers. He sums up those thoughts with our verse—a warning and an admonition.

Our verse in some ways seems to contain opposites, especially as it involves movement. In one way, the believer is not to move. He is to be steadfast, immovable. But in other ways, he is to abound—that is, he is to excel and continue on. Good thoughts to continue.

• Immovable—most likely in one’s faith. Paul has just shown the reasons to believe in the resurrection of Jesus. He acknowledged that some, some there, some believers, did not believe in the resurrection. How they could is unbelievable itself. Now he wants the Christians to dig in and hold their position. Don’t give ground on this. There are some things that are non-negotiable and not open for discussion for other possibilities. There is no room for compromise here. Stand. Don’t move. Those words ring true today. There is always the latest book with a new twist, a new idea, a different way of seeing things. Many of those things move us from what is true. It’s ok to be stubborn in your faith as to what you believe. I recently had a discussion with someone about creation and evolution. I’ve studied science but I am not a scientist. I told this person that evolution is not a possibility. Once a person has grasped what the Bible teaches, the power of God, the formation of the Bible—there are no other possibilities. But couldn’t He have…NO. Is it possible…NO. Immovable. Put your stake in the ground and then hold your ground. Stand your ground on worship…salvation…faith…creation.

• Abounding—moving on, increasing, doing more in the work of the Lord. Sometimes we get these two expressions backwards. Some are forever changing their views and immovable when it comes to doing anything. Long on talk and short on doing. This is  not what Paul was saying. We are disciples of Jesus. The resurrection is true. We need to be busy doing things for the kingdom. There are people who need us. There are those who don’t know the message. There are those who need comforting. Opportunities are everywhere. Jesus recognized that the workers are few, so few. Always abounding…did you catch that. Not just abounding but ALWAYS ABOUNDING. That means when I’m tired. That means when it seems that others have dropped out. That means when I’m young or when I’m old. Always. Not once in a while. Not now and then. But consistently, like the expression, “In season and out of season.”

• Knowing that your labor is not a waste of time. Paul’s words are, “not in vain.” The word “vain” means empty, or useless. It was a favorite word of Solomon in Ecclesiastes. All is vain or vanity of vanity he would write. What you do is not wasted. We may not see the results, but God does. What we do may not bring changes over night, but the work is not wasted. Preachers need to remember this. We sow the seed and get weary because nothing seems to come up. Keep preaching. Keep working at it. Parents need to grasp this. Don’t give up. Sometimes, especially during the trying teen years, you may feel like you are losing the battle. Some battles you do. Winning the war is important. Your labor is not in vain. Many of us are living proof that labor is not in vain. Folks a long time ago put some time into us and showed us and helped us and taught us. Some of those people may no longer be with us, but what they did certainly is. Their labor was not in vain. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t quit. What you are doing makes a difference. The world seems to be getting darker and darker and fewer and fewer seem interested anymore in what is wholesome, right and godly. Don’t quit. One by one a difference is made. Philip talked to one Ethiopian in a chariot. It made a difference. Paul stopped one jailer from committing suicide and then showed him Jesus. It made a difference. Every person has a network and connection. Each person that decides to follow Jesus will now shed the light in their corner of the world. It does make a difference.

Hold your ground and keep it up—those are Paul’s words. Good words to live by. Good words to think about. Maybe it’s time to close the book on some of the stuff we’ve been reading and just open up the Bible and see what it says. Maybe it’s time to volunteer to teach a Bible class or go see someone who isn’t do so well. Maybe it’s time we held our ground and got busy for God.

Roger