Paul declared the certainty of the resurrection to the believer and our gathering together unto the Lord when he returns in triumph over death (I Corinthians 15:51-57). In light of that he exhorts his readers, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58).
Our labor in the Lord is not in vain! The phrase “in vain” carries two significant aspects. The first is that the work is unprofitable for its intended purpose. I’m sure every law enforcement officer has wondered from time to time if what he or she is doing really makes any difference. For every crime stopped, it seems there are two that are committed. For every criminal apprehended, two more come on the scene. While virtually every job has elements of futility, the work of our law enforcement officers seems to be the poster child for vain endeavor! But this text teaches us that our labor is not in vain. Rather, it is indeed profitable.
The Lord who conquered sin and death is certainly able to bring profitability to our labors when they are done in his name. We may not see the profit of our efforts today, but God works from the vantage point of eternity. What effort seems futile to us now is made to bear fruit in time by the blessing of the Lord. Knowing this is so spurs us to greater faithfulness.
The second aspect of “in vain” suggests that the labor is without reward. For the Christian, this simply is not so. Christ Jesus will “settle up” with his children when he returns. “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12). A sense of futility can lead to despair. We wonder does anyone see? Or, even more despairing, does anyone care? Be assured that the Lord both sees and cares. He reminds us that “whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42; emphasis added).
This exhortation to “be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” is for every believer – not just pastors and missionaries. Paul wrote to the church at Colossae, “whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24). Any job performed as unto the Lord will know both his blessing and his reward!
May we give heed to the exhortation of Oded, the prophet, to Asa, king of Judah, “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7).
From the Chaplain 