How can we always be “abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58)?

Answer

If one word could summarize the nature of the apostle Paul’s dedication to the call of Christ on his life, it would be excellence. Paul aimed to excel in everything he did for the Lord, as stated in “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15), so he approached his God-given mission to preach the gospel with wholehearted zeal, dedicating himself completely to the task. He warmly urged fellow believers to follow suit: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV).

When Paul emphasized always “abounding in the work of the Lord,” he might have been thinking of the words of the prophet Jeremiah: “Cursed is he who does the work of the LORD with slackness” “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.” (Jeremiah 48:10, ESV). Paul understood that life as a gospel minister was demanding work (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). It was often laborious and unappreciated work as well, so he encouraged Christians not to “grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Read more).

(Galatians 6:9, ESV).

The term “abounding” means being abundant or plentiful, exceeding, or producing or existing in large quantities. The work of the Lord refers to the task of preaching, teaching, and serving as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul’s language in 1 Corinthians 15:58 closely mirrors his inquiry in 1 Corinthians 9:1 when he defends his role as an apostle: “Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?” «Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? », (1 Corinthians 9:1, GW). Paul mentioned that his ministry apprentice Timothy was “doing the work of the Lord, as I am” «Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. », (1 Corinthians 16:10). Regarding Epaphroditus, his “fellow worker and fellow soldier,” Paul stated, “He almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life” (Philippians 2:25-30;ESV).

Believers can consistently excel in the work of the Lord regardless of our tasks to advance the kingdom of God. Whether we are on stage preaching the message or behind the scenes cleaning toilets or cooking for the crowds, we should dedicate ourselves to it wholeheartedly: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).

To church elders, preachers, teachers, and ministry leaders, Paul instructed, “And you, you

Yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:7-8; NLT).

We can always be abounding in the work of the Lord if we keep the same tenacious attitude as Paul. He completed the job with unswerving dedication, recognizing that serving Christ involves real labor. The rewards of heaven are worth going all out for, which is what Paul meant when he said our labor is not in vain. When the going gets tough or unexciting, ministers of the gospel must remember to “never tire of doing what is good” «But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. », (2 Thessalonians 3:13). We are not called to idleness but to diligence (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; Hebrews 6:11-12). Jesus taught this principle in the parable of the sower. The sower of the seed labored, knowing that some of the seed would fall on good ground and “produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown” (Mark 4:20; see also Matthew 13:1-23).