Commitment Bears Fruit

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” -1 Corinthians 15:56 (ESV). “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless to Him.” -2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV.

To live to a “ripe, old” age is both sobering and consoling. I know it is best to keep looking forward in life, to anticipate each new day and what it may bring forth. Paul admonished the Christians at Corinth (and us, through his epistle) to be “steadfast, immovable, abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain.” But sometimes it is heartening to take a look backward, to evaluate and to be glad for what has transpired in life that is worthwhile, maybe even memorable.

In the verses in 1 Corinthians Paul is teaching us to evaluate positively by giving attention to our steadfast work for the Lord. At the same time he seems to be giving confident hope that what we do “as unto the Lord” will not be in vain. He is saying that our steadfast work and commitment to the Lord will bear fruit. Jesus Himself taught this same principle about being committed to Him and having our labors bear fruit. In the great judgment at the end of time as Matthew records it, the Lord says to those “on his right hand”: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). The Master continues to commend those who have served Him as they clothed others, visited the sick, gave drink to the thirsty, visited the stranger, ministered to those in prison, gave food to the hungry, and clothed the naked. His commendation was, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40).

We are not always aware that as we serve others, we are serving the Lord. Those in the redeemed group in the account in Matthew who were inheriting the Kingdom of God, came to understand, the labor that helps others is “as unto the Lord.” That was a surprise to them. They asked, “When did we see You a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and visit You? (Matthew 25:38-39). If we “do it to one of the least of these,” we are doing the service as unto the Lord. And the promise made in 2 Chronicles 16:9 is also occurring as we gladly and unselfishly render our service to “the least of these.” “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless to Him.”

I mentioned at the outset of these thoughts for today that it is both sobering and consoling to live “to a ripe old age.” One is to have someone say, to me, sincerely and with gratitude, “what you taught me,” or “what you did for me” made a difference in my life. This is encouraging news. Commitment to God, to earnest work and to others bears fruit. God promises this will happen if we are faithful. Moreover, He fulfills that promise by unexpected rewards for our work. Praise be to God! What work is He calling you to do that will make a difference in someone’s life?

Are you willing to make the commitment to God to follow through and allow the fruit-bearing to occur? -Ethelene Dyer Jones 08.30.2015