Saturday, May 12, 2007
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
JESUS' EASTER VICTORY CHANGES US SUBSTANTIVELY
As much as any of us may enjoy the frivolous pleasures of this world for the moment, at the end of the day, we like to be able to find something of substance to hang onto. We can probably all identify with the good feeling that comes along with a hard day's work, culminating with a job well done.
But how much of the "work" that is done in this world will actually amount to anything of eternal significance? How much of the "work" that people do in this life will amount to emptiness in the end? When we are engaged in the work of the Lord, we don't have to worry about that at all. At the end of 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul encourages His readers do the work of the Lord telling them their labors will not be in vain. That word translated which translated "in vain" above can also be translated "empty". The work of the Lord will never leave us chasing after an empty pursuit.
By His Easter victory, Jesus has given us a substantive hope to hold onto. Because Jesus went to the cross to pay for our sins and to win eternal life for us, we don't have to feel a sense of emptiness when we think about our future. Jesus' Easter victory guarantees us that we have a future of substance. We will rise from the dead just like our risen Savior.
Also, by His Easter victory, Jesus gives us the opportunity to do real work in this world -- work that will last beyond the grave; work that will not be empty when all is said and done. Whenever we work to spread the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to sinners, we are included in God's substantive work of eternal salvation.
