Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Good to the Last Drop

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
(1 Corinthians 15:58 – ESV)

People talk of Christianity and say they “have tried it but didn’t like it”. Some Christians, when exhorted to grow in the grace of God say, “it doesn’t work for me”. However, it is not if it “works” for us, but that we are to be working for Him, and it is not in vain. You have to be patient (Hebrews 6:10-12). You cannot grow unless you are stretched. The time in transition is the time for transformation. You can learn from your mistakes. Your struggle for excellence instead of settling for more than mediocrity, to be a man or a woman of quality rather than just going with the flow, to get good grades, to have a godly marriage, to stand firm in the faith and not just compromise to avoid confrontation, is it worth it? Yes it is not in vain.

Why do anything extra when I’m saved anyway? Because we have a sure word from God that all our effort, our energy, and our existence is not in vain in the Lord. Paul says “Therefore” – All of this promise is based on the work of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:14,17). The work of Christ was and is not in vain. Not one drop of the most precious commodity in the universe, the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19) was spilt in vain. He arose from the dead to prove it.

Romans 3:25-26 – the preaching of the cross, the power over death and sin, and the vindication of God’s righteousness is never in vain. Jesus life and death were not in vain, it gave God glory, it showed His love, and of all who God gave Christ, He has lost none (John 6:37-39, 17:2). We cannot stop the power of God. The world may not see the truth but your work in the Lord is not futile but fruitful. Your work is not in vain because His work was not and is not in vain (Galatians 6:7-10 / Ephesians 6:7-8 / Colossians 3:17,23-24).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

6 comments:

MrsEvenSo... said...

Thank you Lord for the precious blood of Jesus! The cause of Christ is never in vain. Hallelujah! To God be the Glory, forever and ever. Amen!

MrsEvenSo... said...

and we're not talking about Maxwell House! :D

Even So... said...

No, we are talking about God's house, and not coffee...

T said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
T said...

Preaching the truth is not in vain...
Stay encouraged J.
By the way you guys and your coffee talk makes me want some...you're both are silly.

JoyfullyHis said...

I thought being a Christian was supposed to be fun. [pout]
;) stretching isn't much fun...