Steadfast and Unmovable
Some people think that if you quote the bible, you’re guilty of hate speech. However, the Word of God says abhor that which is evil and to cleave unto that which is good. Despite the darkness of a fallen world we have hope in the resurrection. Our hope is in our risen Lord. The challenge in 1 Corinthians 15 is to finish strong. According to 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Steadfast means to be firmly fixed in place. Paul said in 2 Timothy 6-8, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Steadfast also means devoted and loyal and unyielding to accomplish the purpose for which we’ve been called: that we should be to the praise of the glory of his grace both now and in eternity. Despite persecution and shame, Jesus said “even though they will crucify me, I’ll rise again on the third day.” 1 Corinthians 15 is about our hope of heaven because we confessed that Jesus is Lord and have believed that God has raised him from the dead. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the hope of our resurrection.
Peter had dedicated himself to follow his Lord Jesus Christ. However, Peter prided himself on his own ability and in his own confidence. Jesus said to Peter, before the cock crows twice you shall deny me thrice. God’s timing is amazing. When Jesus was led out during his mockery of a trial, he looked toward Peter and their eyes met. Peter had just denied his Lord the third time. Jesus looked at Peter not with condemnation and judgement but with love, mercy, grace and compassion. Peter turned away convicted, went away, and wept bitterly. Repentance means that God will break our heart for what breaks his.
In the Old Testament, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, a rich man who served the Pharoah. Because Joseph proved himself trustworthy, wise and ethical in his dealings, Potiphar gave him authority over everything he had except his wife. Potiphar’s wife was drawn to Joseph and tempted him to sin with her. Joseph said, “Your husband has entrusted me with everything he has except for you. How could I do this evil against him and against my God?” He literally obeyed the command, “flee fornication.” As Joseph ran away from Potiphar’s wife, she grabbed his coat and stripped it away from him. Later she used Joseph’s coat to accuse him of attacking her. The conclusion to Joseph’s story is in Genesis 50:20. “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
Jesus changed Simon’s name to “Peter” meaning the Rock. However like Peter, we must be crushed in order to be rebuilt according to his purpose. We’re all works in process. He will break our hearts like he did the Apostle Paul’s. Only then can we come to Paul’s conclusion: “thy strength is made perfect in my weakness, thy grace is sufficient for me.”
Trials and tests are for our good. Only through the trials of life can we learn that God is our sufficiency. Jesus said, I am the vine and ye are the branches. if you abide in me and I in you then you will bear much fruit. Those he loves he will prune. When he prunes us, Only then can we together bear much fruit. According to Psalm 1, blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, nor standeth in the way of sinners. But his delight is in the law of the lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters. His leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Steadfast is rooted, grounded, and built up in him. As Oswald Chambers said, when the crisis comes and courage is required, God expects us to be the reliable ones. Through the trials of life, we will learn that tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.
We were unworthy and guilty Before a holy God. We are saved not because of who we are but because of who He is. For Jesus Christ came not into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Therefore, be ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael