Your Labor is Not in Vain

“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).
 
Easter is a monumental occasion in the Christian faith. For those of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ as our Savior, there is perhaps no greater cause for celebration than Jesus’ resurrection. Think of the implications if Christ had not been resurrected. 1 Corinthians 15:17 tell us, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” But we know He was resurrected (Luke 24:1–9). We know He defeated death (2 Timothy 1:8–10). Therefore, we also know our faith is not futile and we are not still in our sins.
 
The whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 overflows of implications of the resurrection. Reading through the chapter we learn things like the dead will be resurrected (12–16), there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (17), there is hope beyond the grave (19), and there is victory over sin and death (54–57).

While these are all life-changing and unmissable truths, the very last verse in this chapter speaks the loudest to me during this particular Easter season. After we have learned we will be raised with Christ and have new bodies for all eternity in heaven, we receive a bit of admonishment and encouragement from our brother Paul. He calls us to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”

Paul knew, perhaps more than any of his contemporaries, the cost of following Jesus and proclaiming the Gospel. He was persecuted. He was tried. He was imprisoned. And yet — He was steadfast and immoveable. He knew His labor in the Lord was not in vain.

Easter season is full of joy. There is every reason to celebrate and proclaim the saving work of Jesus. In the life of a church, Easter season is also full of extras. Extra messages, extra events, extra services, extra opportunities. It can be easy for the pressure of these things to overtake our joy in the privilege of sharing the Gospel with others. But done for the Lord, these are not just extras. They are vehicles for proclaiming the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ — the very thing that brings us joy not only in this season, but in our lives.

Friend, let me echo Paul’s encouragement to you. As one believer to another. As one sibling to another. As one church family member to another. Be steadfast and immoveable. Be faithful to the task God has put before you. Because your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Written by Randi Walle. Randi serves as the editor and communications manager for Charis Fellowship. She is a life-long attender and member of Grace Polaris Church in Columbus, Ohio, where she also serves as communications director.