Therefore, my beloved brethren, be 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
The scripture above came to mind last week as we considered the times God had used us in others’ lives as he used Ananias in Paul’s. Ananias was called of God to set Saul of Tarsus free from his blindness. He had to step out by faith and do something that made him uncomfortable in visiting this former Christian-hater. Surely, Ananias approached this champion of the Pharisees with fear and trembling before the Lord, but what an encouragement it must have been to Saul in his brokenness when the first words out of Ananias’ mouth were, “Brother Saul”! (Act 9:17) Ananias would fade from the pages of the book from this point on, but he had played a pivotal role in launching the greatest ministry of the early Christian church.
Now, if we compare the visible influence we’ve had in the lives of others to Ananias’ effect on Saul, many of us may feel a bit insignificant, but that’s exactly where our text above hits home! The fact is that we are all insignificant and inadequate of ourselves. Even the apostle Paul had to confess concerning his ministry “I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1Co 15:10) The truth is that success in ministering to others is an act of God not a matter of our skill or intelligence. Yes, we labor, but only God can make that labor effectual even as Paul admits in 1Co 3:6: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”
What our text today encourages us to realize is that when we are faithfully serving the Lord as witnesses to Him, we cannot fail! No matter how worthless we may feel or how wasted the effort may seem, when we labor for God’s glory, we do not labor in vain!! Remember, our goal is not to be profitable. We are called to confess just the opposite about ourselves: “when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'” (Luk 17:10) Our goal is to be faithful. When we are faithful, be assured God is using our efforts whether we see it or not. Be encouraged. Those who remain “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” will one day hear their Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord!” (Mat 25:21)
Jamie