YOUR LABOUR IN THE LORD IS NOT IN VAIN
“THEREFORE, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, KNOWING THAT YOUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD."
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)
Every believer should be part of the building up of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:6-9; Ephesians 4:16). No one should be idle in the vineyard of the Lord (John 15:1,2,16).
Since everyone who has acknowledged Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Saviour is a member of His Body, the Body of Christ, therefore, no one should be idle:
26 FOR YOU ARE ALL SONS OF GOD THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS. 27 FOR AS MANY OF YOU AS WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE PUT ON CHRIST" (Galatians 3:26,27 (NKJV).
Being a part of Christ’s Body means you have a function, a role to play. As there is no useless part of human body, every part of human body has a function, likewise, every believer who is a part of Christ’s body should have a function, what to contribute to the growth of the Body: "HE [Christ] MAKES THE WHOLE BODY FIT TOGETHER PERFECTLY. AS EACH PART DOES ITS OWN SPECIAL WORK, IT HELPS THE OTHER PARTS GROW, SO THAT THE WHOLE BODY IS HEALTHY AND GROWING AND FULL OF LOVE” (Ephesians 4:15,16 NLT).
No part of the body of Christ should neglect its role or function. Any part of the body that does not function well will affect the growth of the body negatively. Every part needs each other’s contribution for the effective growth of the body (1 Corinthians 12:25; Ephesians 4:16).
12 FOR AS THE BODY IS ONE AND HAS MANY MEMBERS, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
21 AND THE EYE CANNOT SAY TO THE HAND, “I HAVE NO NEED OF YOU”; NOR AGAIN THE HEAD TO THE FEET, “I HAVE NO NEED OF YOU.”
1 Corinthians 12:12,20,21 (NKJV)
Note:
• You are saved to serve, the body of Christ needs your contribution (Ephesians 2:10).
• You have a role to play in the building up of the body of Christ.
• It important that you should know that your own role must not be neglected, thus, you have a responsibility to find out your place or role in the body of Christ.
• You needed to know: What part you are in the body and What role or function you are to perform.
• You must contribute to build the body of Christ, the Church of Christ (Romans 12:4,5).
When you function well as a part of the body, you help other parts of the body to be healthy and grow well: "AS EACH PART DOES ITS OWN SPECIAL WORK, IT HELPS THE OTHER PARTS GROW, SO THAT THE WHOLE BODY IS HEALTHY AND GROWING AND FULL OF LOVE” (Ephesians 4:16 NLT).
The Holy Spirit on the inside of believers gives or distributes gifts to individual believers as He wills, and the gifts are meant for the benefits of every believer: “A SPIRITUAL GIFT IS GIVEN TO EACH OF US SO WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER" (1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT).
Thus, whatever gift you are given by God through the Holy Spirit is not meant for keeping or hoarding but to bless others in the body of Christ and the entire mankind: "AND THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES EACH ONE A GIFT SO THAT ALL PEOPLE MAY BE HELPED" (1 Corinthians 12:7 Worldwide English (New Testament).
You are not saved only to be waiting for the day of rapture or the day you will be called home! It is good to be expectant and be waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ; however, while you are waiting, get yourself engaged and be working to build the body of Christ.
Discover your gift(s) and put it to work in order to make profit with it (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-26).
“SO HE CALLED TEN OF HIS SERVANTS, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘DO BUSINESS TILL I COME.’ “
Luke 19:13 (NKJV)
Jesus wants you to do business, kingdom business, with the minas—gifts or what to trade with as capital—which He has given to you.
A number of ways to serve:
• You can be part of the workforce in your local Church, and use your gifts to serve.
• You can also become a member of a Christian fellowship and use your gift to serve there.
There are many ways through which your gifts can be used to serve and expand God's kingdom on earth.
Above all, make yourself available, if someone needs help: prayer, counselling, encouragement and whatever; be available to help such a person and as you are faithful in doing it, God will cause other doors to be opened for you to serve.
Every gift is important in the body of Christ, no gift is less important; thus, put your gift to work (Romans 12:4-8).
Remember, God rewards faithfulness, not the size of what you do, or how prominent the work you do is. If you are faithful in what God has assigned and equipped you to do, you will be blessed and rewarded (1 Corinthians 3:8; Hebrews 6:10).
“THEREFORE, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, BE STEADFAST, IMMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, KNOWING THAT YOUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)
You will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!