The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

All of the Bible is instructive, but this verse is often overlooked. The 15TH Chapter of 1 Corinthians is the Resurrection Chapter. Paul has just just concluded his instruction on the death, burial and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ. As a capstone to the chapter, he admonishes his audience (including us) to be steadfast; that is, we are to be settled in our minds with respect to the LORD’s sacrifice for our sins. After all, who could challenge Christ’s ability to forgive sin, when He raised Himself from the dead?

We are also to be immovable; that is, so settled in mind regarding our salvation through the LORD Jesus Christ that we are incapable of changing our trust and love toward Him. When I was a child, this verse gave me no little difficulty. I believed the Bible to be totally without error. I still do! Further, I understood what it meant to be steadfast and immovable. What troubled me was how one could be steadfast and immovable while abounding at the same time? It’s amusing to think of that now, but when I was seven or eight, that really puzzled me.

The key to understanding the verse (as I now view it) is that steadfast and immovable are spiritual and mental attitudes, while abounding adds physical to the equation. It’s initially vital that we know and believe Christ. It then becomes necessary that we excel in sharing the Good News of His death, burial and resurrection with others, who have never heard or believed.

There’s always an assurance in our work for the LORD. What is it? It is the assurance that our excessive labor and energy will not have been for nothing! He’s not promising money per se; what He is promising is far more than silver and gold. His promise is productive rewards here and hereafter. Don’t miss out on those rewards!

And don’t miss out on being their, either! Trust and Obey!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”