The Christian Labor Day

1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, 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.

In 1882 as the Central Labor Union (of New York City) sought to create "a day off for the working man". Twelve years later what emerged from this effort is what is known as Labor Day in the United States. Symbolically, Labor Day marks the end of the summer season. Renowned children's author Bill Dodds once quipped:

"Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day.  It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken."

All kidding aside, there is labor on earth and labor for the kingdom of God. While the world may stop for one day out of each year to "rest"; we see a different imperative from God about our labor for Him. There are several truths to take from this one verse.

When it comes to our work for God, the first truth is that we must stand firm. Our faith must be firmly rooted in what we believe. The prophet Isaiah teaches us:

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

The dictionary defines steadfast as: " firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment" and that is how we need to approach our work for the Lord. We need to be attached to our faith to stand firm. Our mind needs to be resolved. Why? Because we trust God! It is that trust that leads us to the second truth from this verse; and that is that we must let nothing move us in our work.

The enemy has already lost the battle for your soul. His schemes are designed now to make you ineffectual in the kingdom of God. If we become ineffectual then we are not doing the work God has set before us as He designed. We cannot allow anything to move us beloved. The Apostle Paul spoke about this in his letter to the church at Ephesus:

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:14-16

As each part does its work. There is a work that God has for each one of us and we cannot allow ourselves to be tossed back and forth by the waves of life. We cannot allow ourselves to be led astray deceitful scheming, whether it is from the world or the enemy. We need to grow up into Christ; what a beautiful word picture.

The next truth from this verse is that God expects us to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. When does he expect us to give ourselves fully? Always! There is no Labor Day from God's work. What is Paul warning against here? Half-hearted effort. We should not approach the work of God without a full commitment. The world may mock commitment but God does not. We may get confused about commitment or have a fear of commitment from a human perspective but God is not vague in this verse. In employment terms, God does not have any part-time job openings beloved. He is not in the temporary staffing industry. Our work for God is a full time and thank God, permanent position!

God takes this very seriously too. When Jesus is addressing the Church at Laodicea in the Book of Revelation He has these ominous words for them:

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:14-16

It is a sad reality that we have many lukewarm churches in our society today. Lukewarm preaching to lukewarm congregations. The word of God transformed into a self-help seminar or a get rich scheme. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul describes the times to come; the times we find ourselves in:

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2Timothy 4:1-5

There are many itching ears in the church today, seeking to hear what they want to hear and not what God says. Sound doctrine is being supplanted by a candy coated prosperity gospel. But look at the charge from Paul. Be prepared in season and out; no holiday from our labor. Do the work of your ministry. That work cannot be lukewarm beloved. We must give ourselves fully to the work He sets before us. Why?

Because the last truth from this verse is that we know our labor is not in vain. I am sure sometimes we go about our jobs in the world wondering of what substance it is. We can spend so much energy on things that have no eternal value. The awards and recognition we receive from the world today will not matter 10 years from now. The rewards and recognition from God however, is of eternal value. It never fades with the passing of time. Jesus taught:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

This verse often is only related to material possessions, but it also deals with what we value; what we work for. He wants your heart in His work today. He does not want a half-hearted or lukewarm effort. He wants you to give yourself fully to Him and His work. Let nothing move you. No schemes of the enemy or the world. Stand firm in your labor for the Lord. There is a Labor Day awaiting you in paradise beloved. When the true boss welcomes you and says, "Well done my good and faithful servant." That is what we labor for.

Anthony Wade August 27, 2008