Some things in life are constantly changing. The waves on the sea or the tide at the beach come and go. The branches of a tree in the wind blow back and forth. Some things are constant and show no signs of movement such as a large rock or a mountain. You, as a faithful believer, should be like the large rock in that you are immovable in your faith, your stand on the sure teachings of the word, your purity of life, and your trust in the Lord. Regardless of the winds that may blow, you are steadfast. 1 Corinthians 15:58 “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.” Let us consider the three elements of this admonition: being steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, and knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
You can probably remember someone you know that was once a faithful Christian but has since left the faith. How could they lose their faith? Without faith in Jesus, what else is there to hope for? There was one time that Jesus gave a hard teaching. John 6:66-69 “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” Jesus has the words of eternal life. Without your faith in Jesus, you have nothing. Abraham is our great example of faith. Romans 4:20-22 “He (Abraham) did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore ‘it was accounted to him for righteousness.’” Be like Abraham. Don’t waver but strengthen your faith. Be steadfast and immovable. 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”
One of the areas where you should be firm is in your stand on what the Bible teaches on matters of salvation and of righteousness. Ephesians 4:14 “That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” As I study the Bible, I am constantly learning; I hope you are learning as well. But when a false teaching blows by, you should recognize it for what it is, reject it, and stand for the truth. The apostle Paul taught in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”
Another area where you should be firm is in the righteous life you seek to lead. We all face temptations. But don’t give up your salvation for the pleasures of sin. 2 Peter 3:17-18a “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Esau, the brother of Jacob, sold his inheritance for some bread and stew. Hebrews 12:16-17 “Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” Don’t sell your salvation for the pleasures of sin. Be steadfast and immovable.
In addition to being steadfast and immovable, you should be abounding in the work of the Lord. Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” You were saved by grace through faith, but you were created in Christ Jesus for good works. I encourage you to abound in the work of the Lord.
What is the result of being steadfast and immovable and abounding in the work of the Lord? You receive all that is promised by God. Your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Hebrews 6:10-12 “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
The encouragement I give to you is that you be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.