Be Immovable
"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 15:58
Have you ever begun a great work and as you go about the in the work, you begin to grow weary? The energy has just escaped and suddenly you're losing heart and wondering why you started down this path at all. I think of Noah, who received instructions to begin building this massive ark, awaiting this great rain that God told him would come about the earth. During the construction of the ark Noah had mockers who thought Noah to be a bit eccentric, believing that God would bring rains that would cover the earth. Noah continued in the work, undeterred by the words of man and in due time he was saved from floods that came upon the earth.
How do we think about these things in our time. What does it mean to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord? The early church had quite a massive task, didn't they? Telling all the world about the victory that Jesus had over sin, death, and the grave. Isn't that our task also? Now, God can't expect us in our day to have the same zeal as the early church, can He? Do we still live with the hope, that Christ has overcome the world and is preparing a place for us. This promise, that Jesus has conquered and reigns victorious, is our victory too, if we are in Him.
Still the questions remain don't they? There are many mysteries that we see in this world, but we are invited into this amazing Living Hope, that is in Christ Jesus and we are to stand firm on His word, not departing from it, even when things get tough. In Paul's letter to the church in Galatia, we see this encouragement:
"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." - Galatians 6:9
In due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up, or grow weary! It is so easy to look at how big a task there is, but remember, God hasn't called you to fix all the world's problems. We need to be concerned with our own lives, our doctrine, and our walk with the Lord. How would we lead anyone if we ourselves aren't walking steadfastly?
"Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." - 1 Timothy 4:16
Watch your life and the doctrine, if you do, it will not only help you but those who hear you. This salvation that we have in Christ, wasn't a cheap thing, it was costly, and we would do well to remember that cost. If we are prepared we will be able to help those around us. The message that Paul gives young Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16 is that by carefully watching ourselves and our teaching we ensure salvation both for ourselves and for our hearers. This is such an incredible responsibility yet so many take it lightly.
Seize every opportunity that you are given to share the gospel and to speak life to those around you. It may be that you're the only one who may speak hope to them, and you may even ensure their salvation, if possible. We should be spreading the love of Christ to our tired and hopeless world. This movement that begun over 2,000 years ago, is still the greatest movement for freedom, justice, and love that the world has ever known. It is quite clear that our world is desperately craving such a movement and have sought counterfeit hope in so many cases.
Not everyone will receive our message, that shouldn't stop us from moving forward. Looking at the early church, many of them died for their faith, because what earthly reward could possibly be greater than the eternal reward that awaits us? The apostle Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 2:11 that we are strangers and foreigners in this world, heaven is our home.
"Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul." - 1 Peter 2:11
What then shall we say, if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31). Keep on seeking after God, it is a pursuit worth all of our energy. We will not be put to shame if we continue to chase after Christ with all of our hearts. There may be difficulty here on earth, and it may be tough, but endure and stand firm to the end. We need to keep our eyes on Christ, He is the author and the finisher of our faith. Live a holy life, worthy of the calling for which you have been called, cling to Christ, don't depart from His word, live in the Spirit, and trust in God; He is ever faithful!
"So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." - Galatians 6:10
Have you ever begun a great work and as you go about the in the work, you begin to grow weary? The energy has just escaped and suddenly you're losing heart and wondering why you started down this path at all. I think of Noah, who received instructions to begin building this massive ark, awaiting this great rain that God told him would come about the earth. During the construction of the ark Noah had mockers who thought Noah to be a bit eccentric, believing that God would bring rains that would cover the earth. Noah continued in the work, undeterred by the words of man and in due time he was saved from floods that came upon the earth.
How do we think about these things in our time. What does it mean to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord? The early church had quite a massive task, didn't they? Telling all the world about the victory that Jesus had over sin, death, and the grave. Isn't that our task also? Now, God can't expect us in our day to have the same zeal as the early church, can He? Do we still live with the hope, that Christ has overcome the world and is preparing a place for us. This promise, that Jesus has conquered and reigns victorious, is our victory too, if we are in Him.
Still the questions remain don't they? There are many mysteries that we see in this world, but we are invited into this amazing Living Hope, that is in Christ Jesus and we are to stand firm on His word, not departing from it, even when things get tough. In Paul's letter to the church in Galatia, we see this encouragement:
"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." - Galatians 6:9
In due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up, or grow weary! It is so easy to look at how big a task there is, but remember, God hasn't called you to fix all the world's problems. We need to be concerned with our own lives, our doctrine, and our walk with the Lord. How would we lead anyone if we ourselves aren't walking steadfastly?
"Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." - 1 Timothy 4:16
Watch your life and the doctrine, if you do, it will not only help you but those who hear you. This salvation that we have in Christ, wasn't a cheap thing, it was costly, and we would do well to remember that cost. If we are prepared we will be able to help those around us. The message that Paul gives young Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16 is that by carefully watching ourselves and our teaching we ensure salvation both for ourselves and for our hearers. This is such an incredible responsibility yet so many take it lightly.
Seize every opportunity that you are given to share the gospel and to speak life to those around you. It may be that you're the only one who may speak hope to them, and you may even ensure their salvation, if possible. We should be spreading the love of Christ to our tired and hopeless world. This movement that begun over 2,000 years ago, is still the greatest movement for freedom, justice, and love that the world has ever known. It is quite clear that our world is desperately craving such a movement and have sought counterfeit hope in so many cases.
Not everyone will receive our message, that shouldn't stop us from moving forward. Looking at the early church, many of them died for their faith, because what earthly reward could possibly be greater than the eternal reward that awaits us? The apostle Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 2:11 that we are strangers and foreigners in this world, heaven is our home.
"Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul." - 1 Peter 2:11
What then shall we say, if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31). Keep on seeking after God, it is a pursuit worth all of our energy. We will not be put to shame if we continue to chase after Christ with all of our hearts. There may be difficulty here on earth, and it may be tough, but endure and stand firm to the end. We need to keep our eyes on Christ, He is the author and the finisher of our faith. Live a holy life, worthy of the calling for which you have been called, cling to Christ, don't depart from His word, live in the Spirit, and trust in God; He is ever faithful!
"So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." - Galatians 6:10
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