v 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.
All this talk of resurrection, new bodies, death defeated and creation restored, is more than just to offer comfort and encouragement to hard-pressed believers in Corinth. Paul brings this part of his letter to a close with a reminder that life in tune with God and following Jesus is purposeful. There may be stresses and strains, and some days will be mighty tough, as so many of us realise even today – but the blunt fact is that God has a good purpose for us and it is worth going on to serve Him well.
During the time of lockdown a number of church leaders have had to work doubly hard to keep the church together and in a position to serve God in the local community. Many thanks to those of you who have found yourself in that position; ‘dear brothers and sisters, you have been strong and immovable’. Your service for God has never been useless.
Others of us however have felt pretty useless; largely confined to our homes we have felt the lack of human contact. You may only have been able to make the odd telephone call to encourage a friend, or send a letter or email to a lonely relative or neighbour, but, be assured, that has not been useless. Paul’s final comment on the subject comes as a strong reminder to our feelings of uselessness. ‘nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.’
So whatever your feelings, stick at it; you have a God who has a purpose for you, and that purpose includes resurrection when death is finally defeated.
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