Friday, May 12
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Steadfast, Immovable, Excelling
1 Corinthians 15:58 is the conclusion of chapter 15, in which all of Paul's biblical, theological, and historical arguments lead to practical instructions for believers. As a result of all the 57 verse preceding verses, Paul commands us to be:
- Steadfast and Immovable
- Excelling in the Lord's work.
We do all of this because we know that our labor, our work to the Lord, is not in vain. Why? Because the Resurrection changes everything.Today, let's take an in-depth look at what it means to be steadfast, immovable, and excelling in the Lord's work. The text tells us to "keep on becoming steadfast, immovable." While the skeptics and critics of Christianity will howl and rage, we have a surety for faith and hope in Jesus Christ. We live and declare an unashamed allegiance to the biblical, historical, and orthodox truths of the gospel, no matter the cost. We are immovable from our gospel hope! This certainty concerning this Resurrection prompts us to excel in the work of the lord. The word translated excel here in verse 58 (perissueo, περισσεύω) could be rendered "doing all in your power" for the work of the Lord or to "have in abundance, be rich in" the work of the Lord. This passage is calling us to give our all for the work of Jesus Christ in our generation. It is not an add-on to our lives or bonus points to a life well-lived; we are to give our all for this mission.And thankfully, this toil, this work for the Lord, is not in vain. Rather, we know that it matters. Our service to the King matters. So, in light of the resurrection, may we be steadfast and immovable, and may we excel in the work of our Lord.
