1 Corinthians 15:58a
58a Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
This earnest exhortation of Paul unto all believers was based on their thankfulness to God for the hope of victory over death and grave through the Lord Jesus Christ. He had just proclaimed in v. 57, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Our glorious hope of victory over death gives us the impetus to serve the Lord with perseverance and fervency.
When we serve the Lord, we do not do what we want to do, but the work that the Lord has given unto us. The believers’ work is the work that the Lord has given unto them. It is not doing what we feel like doing, but what the Lord wants us to do. We are not to do as or when we like. As Paul pointed out in Hebrews 13:21, our desire and prayer ought to be that the Lord will “make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
We are also exhorted concerning the manner in which we ought to carry out the Lord’s work. Firstly, we must be “steadfast” in the work of the Lord. The Greek word used here by the apostle suggests being steady and settled in our hearts to fulfil all that the Lord has bidden us to do. We must always be faithful in the service of the Lord.
Secondly, we must be “unmoveable” in the work of the Lord. Nothing should shake us from our commitment to serve the Lord with diligence. We must be firm and unshakeable in faith and devotion to the Lord as we persist in doing all the will of God.
Thirdly, we must be “always abounding in the work of the Lord”. We should not be disinterested or lethargic in doing all that God has commanded us to do. We must serve the Lord with fervour and zeal. Thoroughness and excellence must characterise our work for the Lord. We must be eager to know all His will and do all of them with total resolve. We must also eagerly embrace and seek out opportunities for doing His good will. We must esteem it as our privilege – not our hardship – to do the work of the Lord. Let us set no limit to our exertions. Let us not measure our attainments by those of others. Let us not sit down in sloth and carelessness, but press on to serve Him more and more.