Your Toil in the Lord is Not in Vain

Saints,

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NASB)
⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

We all feel the world’s tug to be results oriented--How many? How much? This outlook is not limited to America. It really is the world’s way. I recently spoke with a middle aged man from India. We talked about education and how it can help us make more money. He seemed to be troubled with the fact that I was going to seminary. He could not understand why I would want to get an education that very possibly would not help me financially. I told him this study will help me serve others. That explanation did not seem to satisfy his confusion.

I want us to honestly consider a couple questions today. First, who is doing the work? This is very important. Are we doing the work? Are you, pastor, Sunday school teacher, missionary, church worker—are you doing the work? Or, is God doing the work? Our answer to this question reveals much about our relationship with God—it reveals what we think of the Holy Spirit. Our orientation on this point is very important.

The second question is, “Do you know that your toil is not in vain in the Lord?” Paul used the word “know,” not believe or hope—know. Do you know? What if only three come to the prayer meeting? What if no one shows up for training? What if no one memorized their assigned verse?

A pastor recently reminded me about Daniel. Daniel had a burden for his nation. His burden caused him to seek God in prayer and fasting for 21 days. Although God sent an angel to minister to and speak with him, his deep heart burden for the nation of Israel was not granted in his lifetime.

Think through this with me. I am convinced that when we know our toil is not in vain--when we know God is at work, then we resolutely continue in God’s work, regardless of the results. This kind of mindset is true. This kind of thinking is humble and dependent on God.

But, the other kind of mindset is that somehow we think it is our work—our skill—our know-how that matters. Then we can get very discouraged when the results are less than we hoped. We are failing. We are not measuring up. The truth is we will never measure up. It is only through Jesus that we are given every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. Only through Christ are we clothed in righteousness.

You may be thinking, “How convenient…all failure is God’s fault.” No, let’s think this through. Exactly how much can we accomplish separated from the Father? Yes, you know the verse John 15:5—nothing.

John 15:5 (NASB)
⁵ "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

So, how much change will happen in peoples’ lives if the Holy Spirit does not convict them of their need for Christ? No change—nothing. They will remain dead in their sin.

Ephesians 2:1 (NASB)
¹ And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,

What is our part? We do as God says, “share the good news--the gospel and make disciples. We pray. We surrender. We walk in the Spirit. We humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from sin. We love God and people.

If you only remember one point from this devotional today, remember that your toil in the Lord is not in vain. Even if you, like Daniel don’t see change or results. Even so, your toil in the Lord is not in vain because Paul said we can KNOW this. He did not say hope or wonder if our toil is in vain.

The best way to think of this is like a friend of mine shared. We are the glove and the Holy Spirit is the hand that moves the glove. Yes, God does the work. We are his instruments—His tools. 

Father, we surrender absolutely to you. Please use us as your tools to impact your kingdom for eternity. We cannot do this on our own. We are utterly dependent on you. Glorify your name in our lives. In Jesus name, we ask this, Amen.

Compelled to pray and desperate for God, Steve