Steadfast, In Service Abounding

"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" (I Cor. 15.58).

These are virtually the closing words to the Corinthians. It is noticeable how frequently Paul refers to them as his brethren; and recalling that he often reproved them, one may question why he consistently so addressed them.

The early verses of chapter 1 describe their advantages in Christ; their riches, their security, their prospects in the day of Christ, and to crown all, the faithfulness of that God who called them. There we find that their blessings are the same as Paul's and this is why they are brethren. But immediately following this introduction comes Paul's correction for their failings (v10). It is clear from chapter 3 that Paul wants to speak to them of higher things but they are not yet in a fitting heart condition. There are practices in the Church unworthy of their standing in Christ; practices which if continued will prevent them being steadfast and unmovable.

Another and particular reason why Paul addresses them as brethren is seen in chapter 9 vv 1 & 2. The Corinthian church was founded as the result of Paul's eighteen months' ministry there. He had just left Athens and on arriving at Corinth he went, as usual, to the synagogue. A handful of Jews accepted his message, but the synagogue as a whole rejected him, thus incurring his rejection of them. Then the Lord spoke to him in a vision and caused him to prolong his stay in Corinth; for the Lord said "I have much people in this city." The story of his ministry there is recorded in Acts 18. Note those encouraging words from the Lord in vv 9 & 10. Are they not, in effect, the same as Paul exhorts these brethren in 1 Corinthians 15. 58? Thus, the charge from the Lord that prolonged his stay in Corinth, he passes on to them.

And there is compensation in all this for Paul. If, by his exhortation, these brethren become steadfast, Paul will know that his labour is not in vain in the Lord; and hearing that his work is prospering, he will himself be impelled to further steadfastness. This is another reason why they are brethren—the loyalty of one is an incentive to the other, for they are all members of one body.

It is in this epistle that Paul gives the figure of the body, which teaches, among other things, that the Church exists on a mutual basis. Exploring the Corinthian field we might think it unprofitable ground to till and plant; but Paul, encouraged by the vision, puts into effect his own admonition of 1 Cor. 12. 22-23 and gives more honour to those members which seem to be more feeble.

Now let us regard the text as an admonition to ourselves to-day. The exhortation may be divided into two parts which seem at variance with each other. The first part urges "immovability", whereas the second urges "activity".

Again, the former concerns the work 'within', the latter speaks of the work 'without'. Upon which do the Scriptures lay most stress? Some stress that part that they think is the Divine Will. Some appear steadfast, but they do not serve. Others appear very active but are not concerned about their standing. Let us be true to the text by giving equal weight to each portion of the admonition. We can with propriety follow the Apostle himself as an example of steadfastness with activity.

Let us consider how steadfastness arises. Its obvious basis is faith. They are steadfast who are convinced that their standing in Christ is solely of grace. They know themselves to be sons of God, not by acquiring a place in the Divine family but by adoption into it. They believe that they were chosen in him before foundation of the world and that God has predestined the eventual state of these He foreknew. Therefore in due time He called and justified them; and they believe that in the day of Christ, God will complete His purpose in them by glorifying them. Thus they see that all things are working together for their good; and resting in their sonship and prospects they become steadfast, immovable.

Referring to our text with these thoughts in mind, we see that the first half of the verse speaks of sonship and the other tells of service. Sons and servants. Let us ask ourselves a few questions to find our true position. To the query "are we sons or servants?" some cautiously will answer "both"; so let us ask further. Do we say "If I serve well I shall be made a son?" No amount of service will secure us sonship, for it is a gift, not a reward. Do we say "If I serve well I shall prove I am a son"? This is hardly correct. Faithful service will only prove that we are good servants, no more. Do we say "I know that I am a son, and therefore I serve"? This is a far better affirmation.

We can now read our text "Be steadfast, immovable (as sons), always abounding in the work of the Lord" (as servants).

The Holy Spirit has caused the words to be written in the right order, sonship first, followed by grateful service. They who are steadfast in their sonship make the best servants, because they serve through gratitude for grace received and not for reward for services rendered.

The two parts of our text are to be found together elsewhere. In Phil.1.27. Paul is trusting to hear of the Philippian brethren, the same two facts, "that they stand" and "that they strive". Here again are these two points of Christian life, fixity, yet activity; the work within and the work without. And again we may ask ourselves which is the more important, to stand or to strive? All will agree it is imperative that we stand fast, but are we equally as ardent in striving for the faith of the Gospel? It is so easy to say that as God will surely accomplish all his purposes very shortly, there is no need to strive for the Gospel. If we think so we are partial and are not giving equal weight to each part of the admonition.

It is providential that Paul was set for the defence of the Gospel and actually strove for the faith. If he had failed in this part of his ministry where would have been Philippi or Corinth? To Paul the work of the Lord is the outside declaration of the faith; yet while urging it he did not forget the inside position of steadfastness. He preached the word and did not make the plausible plea that it would be useless to preach in Corinth because of their Grecian practices. And later he was rewarded by finding that his labour was not in vain in the Lord.

We also read in Phil.2.15-16 "That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation" (our standing), "among whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life" (our service). If this is done, Paul will rejoice in the day of Christ, knowing that he did not run in vain and that his labour was not in vain in the Lord. And so we see in this and other texts that the two points of sonship and service, steadfastness and work, go hand in hand; and that Paul does not emphasize one at the expense of the other.

Let us think also of the import of Paul's second letter to Timothy, whom he wishes shall continue the spread of Gospel now that his departure is at hand. While exhorting Timothy to personal steadfastness he joins with that an exhortation to preach the word. Paul knows that by personal fortitude and steadfastness Timothy will be best equipped for evangelical work; and that by preaching the word he will impress upon his own mind Bible truths and so become more established and immovable.

Each of these is valuable to the other, and it is one of the Christian's requirements to give equal adherence to each, sonship and service. Some will contend that the work within is the more important, while others will affirm that outside work is God's will. We shall not underrate either if we recall that each has its sphere in Christian life and each assists the growth of the other; and that it occurs by Divine overruling that outward declaration encourages inward steadfastness, and that true steadfastness in sonship impels service.