We closed last week with 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."

The 'therefore' here looks back to what the Apostle Paul is telling them
concerning our victory over death. Since that is the case they (and we) are
to be 'steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord'.

Believers are to be steadfast (fixed, firm, settled, immovable). Other
translations state this portion of our verse as:
"...be strong in purpose..." [The New Testament in Basic English]
"...hold your ground..." [The New Testament: A New Translation (James
Moffatt)]
"...continue to be firm, incapable of being moved..." [The New Testament: A
Translation in the Language of the People (Charles B Williams)]

Paul tells the Galatians who were in danger of submitting to false teaching:
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and
do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

The Apostle Peter also gives a warning in 2 Peter 3:17
"You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest,
being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own
steadfastness."

Standing firm we are to abound in the work of the Lord.
Abound (Perisseuo): to super abound, be in excess, excel [Strong's
Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible]
"So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for
the edification of the church." 1 Corinthians 14:12

Scripture has much to say of and to the work and the workers in God's
kingdom. I will share a few of these and hope that they will be just a start
for your own study.

Concerning various forms to which men are called:
Working with God:
"'But now take courage, Zerubbabel,' declares the Lord, 'take courage you
also Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the
land take courage,' declares the Lord,' and work; for I am with you,' says
the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2:4

Individual tasks are given as in Mark 13:34,
"It is like a man, away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting
his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his tasks, also commanded the
doorkeeper to stay on the alert."

Our opening verse is a call to abundant labors; the brethren (all
believers), read again 1 Corinthians 15:58

In the works of evangelizing the world:
Paul is speaking to Timothy here,
"But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an
evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:5

Do we fit into that admonition? Yes. True, Christ gave some as evangelists,
but our lives are to be an expression and a testimony of Christ.
Did not Jesus say in Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
"Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck measure, but on the lamp
stand; and it give light to all who are in the house.
"Let your light shine before men, in such a way that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

As we are more and more conformed to the image of Christ, let us pray for
the opportunity to share the Good News, the Gospel of Christ, with hearts
that are ready to receive Him. Always keeping in mind 1 Peter 3:15,
"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a
defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in
you, yet with gentleness and reverence."

As in 2 Peter 3:9 we too desire that none should perish:
"The Lord is not slow about His promise...not wishing for any to perish but
for all to come to repentance."
God bless each one! Amen