Joel Littlefield

Paul encouraged the Church in 1 Corinthians 15:58 to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of The Lord, Knowing that your labor is not in vain”. This is really quite a tall order in light of everything else we know about the Christian life. We know that we have an enemy of our souls that is lurking about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. We know that “in this life we will have tribulations”. So how can we take this encouragement to heart, and stand with confidence as Christians in the face of trials, persecution, and daily spiritual warfare? Paul gave the Corinthian church not only a encouragement to remain steadfast and immovable, but also to recall their victory that lies in Christ. He said “knowing that your labor is not in vain”. If we know that Christ conquered sin and death, that he alone holds the keys to heaven and hell, that he has prepared a place for us in heaven through the death and resurrection of his body, Then we must also have full assurance that as we live by faith in him, our labors and toils are not in vain, and we shall never be moved by any foe. When we receive the imputed righteousness of Christ, we also receive the victory that is His. Apart from this, all of man’s labors are in vain.