Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15:58 NKJV)
As you probably know, anytime you see a “therefore” in the scripture you need to read back and see what it’s there for. Here the “therefore” refers to the first 57 verses of the chapter which talks about the resurrection of Jesus, the resurrection of the saints, the way our bodies are changed at the rapture, and the victory over the law and death we have because of Jesus.
Beloved is a term that means one who is deeply loved. The word steadfast means to be resolute or unwavering.
So, you who are deeply loved by God, since Christ died for your sins, was buried, and raised again on the third day just as the scripture promised, then was seen by over 500 people as proof of His physical resurrection. Since you and I who belong to Christ will also be resurrected, and since Jesus will rule until He puts all of His enemies under His feet. Since we who are still alive at His coming for the church will be raptured and given a spiritual body no longer plagued with the troubles of our earthly body, and since we will inherit His kingdom because we are partakers of His victory over sin and death…
We are to be unwavering, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. What is this work? Jesus said in John 6:29 that the work of God is to believe in Him whom He sent. Meaning the way this work starts is by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Living our lives in loving obedience to Him and His commandments. What are His commandments? First and foremost is to love. To love God above everything else with every part of ourselves and then to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Then as any good soldier we are to follow our last order given until we are given a new one. What was that last command? It’s called the great commission and this is what Jesus said:
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Be about your Fathers business knowing His love for you, His work done on your behalf, and the labor of love He has commanded you to accomplish. When we remember that it always comes down to love, we are never burdened, but rather blessed to fulfill our role.