"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HAVING A MEANINGFUL PURPOSE IN LIFE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HAVING A MEANINGFUL PURPOSE IN LIFE"

1st Cor 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

1st Cor 15:58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Some explanatory thoughts and application:

1. Do you know that God loves you? He does. The Bible tells us that God is love, and that "He so loved the world that He gave His only Son" John 3:16.

2. But, look what is right at the first part of the verse above in 1st Cor 15:58. "Therefore, my beloved brethren" This verse, is God's truth through Paul given to the Corinthians, and to all who are in Christ Jesus, to all who have come to faith. God sees you as His beloved, He loves You. Beloved, means, love of persons, to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing.

3. But, to the subject at hand, "Having a meaningful purpose in life" Please look closely at the verse above. Let's look at the one in the NLT. Notice what it says, 1st Cor 15:58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Look at this last part. "Always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, (and here it comes) for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. Useless, means, empty, devoid of truth, containing nothing, empty handed, destitute of spiritual wealth. endeavors, labors, acts, which result in nothing, vain, fruitless, without effect. Vain of no purpose.

4. So, what Paul is saying, is that we ought to always be enthusiastic about being involved in the Lord's Work, serving the Lord, because, it's never a useless endeavor. In other words, what you do for the Lord is always not vain, or resulting in nothing. God has, is, and will use everything You do for Him for some good. You are doing something meaningful for God when You serve Him, and obey Him in the work that He gives you to do.

5. Let me ask you this question. What are you doing for the Lord? What is it that God has set before you to do? What do you sense Him leading you to do?. Well, guess what, along with being enthusiastic, take great comfort in knowing it's worth it. Your service for Christ is going to amount to something, it's far from useless. Isn't that comforting to know.

6. In closing, the Bible says to redeem the time,  Eph 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. And, the Bible says that Rom 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
These verses essentially say, to take advantage of the time we have, because we are getting closer and closer to being with Jesus.
And, there is no point in wasting time. And, anytime You use to serve the Lord is not useless. So, use your time, and it won't be useless, You can take that to the bank, because God has said it.

A prayer:

Father, what a blessing to have been given purpose in life by You. You have not only given us life, but You have given us real and meaningful purpose in life. To serve You. And, in doing so, we are making a difference, it's not just going to waste. For we are doing Your will. And, You are keeping a record of our doings, and will one day reward us in heaven for the work we have done, and are doing here below. May we serve You with all of our hearts, truly putting You first in our lives, and giving it our all. We love You.
And, we are going to be in heaven before we know it, with you forever, and ever. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.