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. NKJV

There were those in Corinth that were guilty of denying the resurrection of the body. Some were obviously influenced by Grecian thought, so prevalent in that day, that denied that the physical body of man will be resurrected. We see some Grecians mock Paul in Acts 17:32, when he preached the resurrection of the body.

In clear terms Paul proved the resurrection of the body, emphasizing the eyewitnesses that saw Jesus after his resurrection. He emphasized that Jesus was seen by over 500 people at once. He then teaches that if there is no resurrection, the Christians in Corinth would still be in their sins, and they (and we) would have no hope. In answer to the obvious question as to what the resurrected body would be like, Paul says that it will be immortal, and incorruptible.

After making the point that Christians will be resurrected, Paul then makes the application in the last verse of the chapter. Notice his points:

Because of the resurrection – they must be steadfast! They could not allow anyone or anything to move them – they needed to stay faithful in light of the truth of the resurrection! So must we!

Because of the resurrection – they must be immovable! They must not allow anything to cause them to move from the hope of the gospel. So must we!

Because of the resurrection – they and we must abound in the work of the Lord. Notice that Paul stresses that we must ALWAYS ABOUND in the work of the Lord. Notice also that he gives another reason why we need to abound in the work of the Lord. Our labor is not in vain in the Lord. God will reward what we do – He will bless those things that we do for Him; He will not allow our work to be forgotten.

Brethren, here is the perfect example of where sound doctrine leads to sound living. When we understand the doctrines that God has set out in the Bible, these motivate us to steadfastness and greater work for the Lord!

In light of the resurrection – in light of the fact that our work is not in vain – what will YOU do in 2007 to have an abounding work?