Dear ones in Christ,
Apostle Paul labored a lot for the churches he planted, for the salvation of the Israelites and for the Kingdom of God to be built. In 1 Corinthians – 15:58, Apostle Paul says strongly, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”. Our labour will bring good works. Let us see in what things we should labour.
- Work out your salvation:
In Philippians – 2:12, Apostle Paul says, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling. He who remains till the end will be saved”. We should keep the salvation we received of Jesus in the beginning till the end. If we are careless, we might lose it. So we should live a holy life with fear and devotion. David lost the joy of salvation. So he pleads to God. As he took Uriah’s wife to be his wife, he prays for forgiveness. In Psalms – 51:12, David prays, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit”. - Labour hard to be sincere and without offence:
In Philippians – 1:10, we read, “And this I pray, that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ”. In 3 John – 12, we read, “Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true”. A testifying life is very much important. Do not lose your salvation because of pride and lust for worldly things. Our sight, dressing, behavior, and life should not be a stumbling block to others God’s will and purpose should be fulfilled in our life. If we live according to the Word of God, even if we are foolish, we won’t go out of direction.
3.Labour to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
In Colossians – 1:28,29, we read, “whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily”. God’s hand is not shortened, he can save anyone. Jesus suffered for all to be saved. It’s not his will that anyone should perish. We should labour through God’s strength to make everyone perfect.
- Labouring to support the weak:
In acts – 20:35, we read, “…Labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive”. It is vain to say ourselves strong, if we do not take care or support the poor, sick people, handicapped, blind, deaf, and those who are weak in faith. We should be a blessing to others. We should pray, Lord, make me a channel of blessing. Among the priest, Levite and the good Samaritan, the good Samaritan was a blessing to others. Should not steal, but labour hard to work with hands:
In Ephesians – 4:28, we read, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth”. - Should labour hard for the Saints of God:
In Romans – 16:6, we read, “Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us”. The church at Rome served the saints. The Shunammite served Elisha the prophet. She gave Elisha bed, lamp and chair and served him. The widow of Zarephath served Elijah. We read in the Bible, “The righteous shall compass me, for thou deal bountifully with me”. We should have the spirit of serving in us. - We should have the labour of love:
In Hebrews – 6:10, we read, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed towards his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister”. Apostle Paul says, “The love of Christ constraineth us”. We should serve God out of love.. My dear friends! We should labour without getting tired. God says, the reward for everyone according to his works is coming with him. So let us do good works without getting discouraged. Let us work out our salvation. Let us strive to be perfect and sincere before God. Let us strive to bring the souls to the church. The purpose is, we should become perfect, and we should go and preach the gospel. Many people are still outside the fold of God. Let us go in search of them and bring them to the church.
