Are you discouraged? “Does the place you labor seem so small and little known?” Is all the negativity in this world keeping you downhearted and sad?” Well, here’s some good news, some great news, some glorious news!!
Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 15, that when Christ died and rose again, the “sting of death was removed,” and, “death was swallowed up in victory.”[54-57] Paul concludes in this encouraging chapter, in verse 58:
“Therefore, my dear Brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you, always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
I believe Paul is saying to discouraged, downhearted believers, “Never give up! Oh, Never Give In! Knowing death has been swallowed up in victory, (1) “stand firm [and] let nothing move you, (2) Give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, and (3) Know, your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Easter Sunday, my Pastor said it this way: “That since Christ is risen and we will rise too, we can give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. We can be people of supreme confidence, firm and immovable, even by death and its pressures…”
“…We can jump right into a life of labor for the Lord because it won’t ever be in vain or to no purpose. The hope of the Gospel energizes us to labor diligently in our vocations, serving our family and neighbors wholeheartedly. …” “
“…Because Easter has changed your expectations about life after death, because it has changed your outcome from defeat to victory, you now go about life in a better way, a more confident way, a hope-filled way.”
[Pastor Eric Melso, Living Hope Lutheran, 5/4/25]
Fellow Believers, rejoice with this Good News! “Never Give Up, Oh, Never Give In!”
Now join in with Signature Sound as they sing: “Never Give Up, Never Give In https://youtu.be/xG_6nG-BhLo?si=Yn2chnhq7LVYxDCB…
Grace Beyond the Walls 