Verse of the Day 8/30

Verse of the Day 8/30

1 Corinthians 15:58  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.    English Standard Version (ESV)

Yesterday we considered from the book of Ecclesiastes how we are not to be vexed, not to live in a state of "vexation"' being continually annoyed, frustrated or worried, but rather we are to remember our Creator which means to trust Him, knowing, as Charles Spurgeon wrote that "God is too good to be unkind and to wise to be mistaken."

For today's verse we go to the end of 1 Corinthians and verse 58 where Paul gives us a picture of what that  proper "state of being is" , steadfast, immovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord."   Abounding carries the picture of overflowing, joy that overflows from a heart that fully trusts in God, always.

If we are to be steadfast, immovable and abounding, God's Word will have to be important to us and along with the Holy Spirit to guide us in those qualities.   C.S. Lewis writes, "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important." 

Living the life that is abounding, steadfast, immovable is one that is lived in faith, trust, obedience surrendering our will for His.

In his poem "Invictus", William Ernest Henley comes to the conclusion:

It matters not how strait the gate,         How charged with punishments the scroll,   I am the master of my fate,         I am the captain of my soul.     The course of that captains ship leads to a bitter end.  The one who follows Christ, steadfast and immovable has a different destination:  

⁵⁴ Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

"Death is swallowed up in victory.
⁵⁵ O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting^?

⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.  1 Corinthians 15:54-55, 58 NLT

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Corinthians 15:50-58New Living Translation (NLT)

⁵⁰ What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.

⁵¹ But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! ⁵² It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. ⁵³ For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

⁵⁴ Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,^[a] this Scripture will be fulfilled:

"Death is swallowed up in victory.^[b]
55 O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?^[c]"

⁵⁶ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. ⁵⁷ But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.