Resurrection Living

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.  -1 Corinthians 15:58

So ends this great chapter devoted to teaching about the resurrection. Paul begins by declaring the certainty of Christ’s resurrection while explaining and proclaiming the content of the gospel (vv. 1-11). He then moves to give a refutation of those who deny the resurrection (vv. 12-19). This is followed by clear proofs of the resurrection and the teaching about its order and outcome (vv. 20-34). Paul then answers two questions: 1) “How are the dead raised?” (vv. 36-37), and 2) “With what kind of body do the come?” (vv. 38-49). In other words, he deals with the possibility or means of the resurrection, as well as the nature of it. In verses 50-57 he declares the truth concerning the resurrection of those living when Christ returns, and concludes with our text – a lively exhortation to resurrection living.

The text begins, ‘Therefore…” Because of the resurrection and victory in Jesus; because this life is not all there is; because death is not the end of our existence; because we will be resurrected in soul and body eternally; we are exhorted with this battle cry of Christian living. The remainder of the verse is a call to victorious Christian living through faithful and consistent employment of our time, talents, and possessions to the glory of God. It demands that we reject spiritual apathy, selfishness, sloth, and indulgence.

There are three admonitions given, along with the motive for each. The admonitions are: “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” The motive is: “knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Be steadfast. This is a moral fixity, a firmness of heart. It indicates one who is fixed in the faith of the gospel (see. vv. 1-4). According to Colossians 1:3 it is evidence of our reconciliation in Christ. To be steadfast means that we are not turned aside or moved away from the faith either by ourselves or false doctrine and philosophies. Instead, it indicates an unwavering conviction of the truth once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

Immovable. To be immovable is to stand against the assaults of temptation and persecution, to have a hope that is an anchor of the soul (Heb. 6:19). However powerful and sustained the enemy’s attack, we are immovable. We will not be turned aside by others, and we are willing to live and die for the truth of the gospel.

Always abounding in the work of the Lord. This is a command to be consistent, not to work in fits and bursts. We are to abound in prayer and labor in the “work of the Lord.” It is Christ’s work, done His way with diligence and enjoyment, not grudgingly. It is done for the glory of King Jesus, making manifest His kingdom rule over heaven and earth.

To do any work requires motivation, and the motive to heed these admonitions is “knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Of course, if the resurrection of Christ is not an historical fact, all is vain (see v. 19). “But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 57), we are not to be pitied and our toil is not in vain.

This is resurrection living. Is this evident in the church of Jesus Christ? Is it evident in your life?