WHAT YOU DO FOR JESUS CHRIST IS NOT IN VAIN!

"A great deal of the labour of faithful ministers is labour in vain; and, when it is so, it cannot but be a great grief to those who desire the salvation of souls."
"The labour of ministers is in vain upon those who begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh, who, though they seem to set out well, yet afterwards turn aside from the way of the gospel."
"It is the devil's design to hinder the good fruit and effect of the preaching of the gospel. If he cannot hinder ministers from labouring in the word and doctrine, he will, if he be able, hinder them of the success of their labours. Note also, Faithful ministers are much concerned about the success of their labours. No one would willingly labour in vain; and ministers are loth to spend their strength, and pains, and time, for nought."

- all three quotes are from Matthew Henry

In 1 Corinthians 15:58, the Apostle Paul said - "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

But, as we look throughout the Scriptures, we find him using the phrase repeatedly - "labor in vain."

Philippians 2:16 says - "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain."
Galatians 4:11 says - "I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain."
1 Thessalonians 3:5 says - "For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain."

How do you explain that? One time he mentions - "your labor is not in vain in the Lord" - and then the next time he says - "our labor be in vain."

In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul was saying that all labor in the Lord - under His direction and by His influence - is profitable and will be made useful for the conversion of sinners and the edification of the saints. Everything done in the cause of the Lord will be rewarded. Hebrews 6:10 verifies this by saying - "...God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shown toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. "

However, as a minister of the Gospel, Paul faced the possibility of seeing his disciples returning to Judaism, the works of the flesh, or the world.

He knew that the fullest proof that he was a faithful preacher was seeing his converts live holy lives or walk in God's Truth. Yet, after he preached the Gospel with so much diligence and constancy and through so many afflictions and pressures, he still feared that all his labor would be fruitless and ineffectual - that it would be in vain and become of no effect. It was his constant concern that these new believers would not turn from the faith - staggering through afflictions and persecutions - but remain steadfast in the truth. He was fully aware of Satan's tactics of seduction - whether it be through the allurements to apostasy...the arts of the false teachers...or the severity of suffering - to move them from their faith.

In 1 Thessalonians 3:5, he purposely mentioned - "For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain." He was greatly concerned that the Tempter would not gain an advantage over them - that he did not prevail against them - through times of persecution or trials - to swerve them from the Truth and to abandon Christianity. He knew that Satan would tempt these sufferers to murmur and complain or charge God with harshness, partiality, and severity.

It grieved Paul to see that - as in the ministry of the Lord Jesus - there were times when his ministry was attended with comparatively little success. He was not received and welcomed by all. Instead, there were times when he was rejected and despised. Even though he exhausted his strength, he saw little fruit of his toils.

We see this heart struggle especially exemplified in his letter to the Galatian church where he sharply questions the believers -

Galatians 3:3 says - "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"
Galatians 5:7 says - "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should obey the truth?"

Here were believers who commenced their Christian walk under the influence of the Holy Spirit and enjoyed the pure and spiritual worship of God. They had fully known the power and spirituality of the Gospel. But, much to Paul's anguish and frustration, they were attempting to finish their Christian course "by the flesh." They began in a spiritual manner and were now operating in the flesh.

They began worshipping the Lord in spirit and in truth - without any confidence in the flesh. Holy Spirit ruled their spiritual life. But now some were conforming to the world - being brought under the influence of worldly appetites and propensities. They were now living for the indulgence of ease and the gratification of their senses. They were surrendering to the luxury of living - while trying to perfect their Christianity by drawing around them as much of the world as possible. They were sensuous and earthly - following after the lusts of the flesh.

They began the Christian life "well" - with great passion and zeal. They once had the faith that operated by love. But they allowed the things of the world to throw them off the way...to retard them in their course...and to turn them aside. They were on the right road - making great progress. But then they ceased to run by turning from the truth.

Perhaps you are reading this message today and are a minister of the Gospel or involved in Christian work. You may have become discouraged over the lack of results. Note that the Apostle Paul also grieved over "labor" that was seemingly "in vain."

Never forget what the Scripture says - "...God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shown toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. "

Also take note of what Matthew Henry said earlier - "It is the devil's design to hinder the good fruit and effect of the preaching of the gospel..."

Being fully aware of Satan's tactics, therefore pray especially that "your labor will not be in vain" - that you will not "spend your strength for nought."

In closing, we would like to point out a Scripture in Isaiah 49:4 that speaks of the Messiah Himself- "Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely My judgment is with the LORD, and My work with my God." This is a prophetic word about the Messiah's ministry - depicting seeming ill success. In spite of this fact, He was not disheartened. He knew that His Father approved of His work and would grant Him the reward of His toils and suffering.

You must do as Your Master had done. Be fully persuaded that God will own and accept your work and labor done in His Name and for His cause - though it be rejected by men. Calmly commit yourself to God. Quiet your mind with these thoughts. Realize that your "judgment" is with God. Your cause is His cause. And the result of your labors - you choose to leave with Him.

Be assured of this - your acceptance with God is based on your fidelity and self-denying zeal in doing the work He has laid out for you - not based on your results. The reward of your works is with Him. He will abundantly reward you for your labor - done in His Name.

Though men condemn you, run you down, belittle you, or reject you - God will be sure to take care that you be no loser.

Even though you may feel as though you have "labored in vain," "your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

What you do for Jesus Christ IS NOT in vain!

May God Bless His Word,
Connie

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