July 26, 2015 ALWAYS ABOUNDING
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.”
1 Corinthians 3:12-14: “Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward.”
There is good reason not to quit-and there is good reason to keep on. There will be a reward for those who are steadfast, immovable, and who are always abounding in the work of the Lord. The “works of the Lord” are those activities and expressions that reflect, and honor our Lord. Certainly, the works of the Lord would include keeping His commandments-such as loving one another, serving one another, preferring others above ourselves, blessing others, giving, exhorting, worshiping, praying, showing hospitality, and etc. In addition to the works that are for all believers, there are particular works assigned to each believer. One may be called to provide meals to those in need, while another may be called to be a missionary in a far country. Some are called to persevere and be faithful under pressure at a particular job, and some are called to lead a bible study. Some are called to live their life in such a way that their unbelieving spouse may come to know the Lord. The work of the Lord may mean expressing love to someone who seems to be an enemy. Whatever work the Lord has for you, stay with it-whether you see good fruit or not. Paul tells us that our “toil”- our work in the Lord- will not be in vain. “Toil” means to labor, to work hard, or to grind away, and there will be times when our work in the Lord will require such toil. Anything, any work we do will be in vain if what we do is “not in the Lord.” We read in Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” When our work is in the Lord, we are building on the foundation with gold, silver and precious stone and what we build will not be destroyed when tested by fire. When our work is not in the Lord, we are building with wood, hay and straw and it will not withstand the fire. Not only are we to be immovable and steadfast in His work, but we are to be always abounding in His work. Doing His work will often require emotional and physical energy on our part, but He supplies all of the strength and energy we need, and we actually “abound” in His work. When we do the work of the Lord, we are energized and we are rewarded by the Lord Himself! The work that the Lord has for us is not burdensome as we see in Matthew 11:29-30: “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.” May each of us be “always abounding” in the work of the Lord-starting right now.
Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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.”
1 Corinthians 3:12-14: “Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward.”
There is good reason not to quit-and there is good reason to keep on. There will be a reward for those who are steadfast, immovable, and who are always abounding in the work of the Lord. The “works of the Lord” are those activities and expressions that reflect, and honor our Lord. Certainly, the works of the Lord would include keeping His commandments-such as loving one another, serving one another, preferring others above ourselves, blessing others, giving, exhorting, worshiping, praying, showing hospitality, and etc. In addition to the works that are for all believers, there are particular works assigned to each believer. One may be called to provide meals to those in need, while another may be called to be a missionary in a far country. Some are called to persevere and be faithful under pressure at a particular job, and some are called to lead a bible study. Some are called to live their life in such a way that their unbelieving spouse may come to know the Lord. The work of the Lord may mean expressing love to someone who seems to be an enemy. Whatever work the Lord has for you, stay with it-whether you see good fruit or not. Paul tells us that our “toil”- our work in the Lord- will not be in vain. “Toil” means to labor, to work hard, or to grind away, and there will be times when our work in the Lord will require such toil. Anything, any work we do will be in vain if what we do is “not in the Lord.” We read in Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” When our work is in the Lord, we are building on the foundation with gold, silver and precious stone and what we build will not be destroyed when tested by fire. When our work is not in the Lord, we are building with wood, hay and straw and it will not withstand the fire. Not only are we to be immovable and steadfast in His work, but we are to be always abounding in His work. Doing His work will often require emotional and physical energy on our part, but He supplies all of the strength and energy we need, and we actually “abound” in His work. When we do the work of the Lord, we are energized and we are rewarded by the Lord Himself! The work that the Lord has for us is not burdensome as we see in Matthew 11:29-30: “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.” May each of us be “always abounding” in the work of the Lord-starting right now.
Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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