1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Scripture Insights
First Corinthians 15 is a masterful discourse on the resurrection of Christ, and it can be tempting as we read it to imagine that Paul is going to end his deep theological chapter with words such as: don’t lose heart because great hope awaits in the life to come. Yet Paul doesn’t do exactly that. Instead, he does one better, connecting our future hope to our present responsibility. This is great news for us because Paul is saying to all the unseen heroes and heroines of the faith that what we do in the Lord here in the present truly matters.
We aren’t told exactly how God will take our small acts of service and love and transform them, but we can rest assured that God will somehow weave everything we have ever offered to God into the glorious tapestry of God’s new creation. The resurrection of Jesus, Paul is saying, is somehow proof that God will do exactly that!
Thank you, Pastor Paul. What an encouraging word for a church who desperately
needs to hear it. Our labor in the Lord, big or small, matters here and in eternity.
Today’s Prayer
Almighty God who fills your church with resurrection power, fill us today anew with a resurrected hope that holds to the unwavering belief that our labor in and for you is not in vain.
—Gabriela Rodriguez
Lead Pastor, Trinity Church of the Nazarene (Oklahoma)
