Post 14: Celebrating Laboring in Christ
Image: AI generated image of a hard hat, various tools, and an American flag on a grey background, with the words "Happy Laboring in Christ"
Summary: This post is dedicated to honoring the God-given rights and achievements of those who labor in the eternal work of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who died that we might have eternal life through Him!
Unil this year, I really only cared about the Labor Day holiday for two reasons. First, because it was a federally reserved day off from work. Second, because our family typically celebrated it either having our own barbeque, ordering barbeque to-go, or crashing another family members barbeque lol!
In preparation for this post, I did a quick bit of research into Labor Day and found that Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894. was celebrated annually to honor the rights and achievements of American workers. The holiday also served as an unofficial symbol of solidarity, celebrating the power of unity among workers, and a recognition of advocating for the collective rights and improved lives of works. Major cities in the us held carnivals, festivities, and/or parades to commemorate the day.
I also want to shout out my mother to honor her work and achievements in my life and in our family! She showed hard work and great dedication in raising 3 young boys, and setting intentionality towards raising us up in a God-centered home. She was the main provider in our family after my parents divorced during my early teenage years. She actively demonstrated leaning on God in all areas of her life and demonstrated a Christ-centered life through her sacrificial and unwavering commitment to us, especially during harder times. Her dedication to regular prayer, praising God, and commitment to fulfilling His good works for her life bore fruit in my own salvation as an adult!
The Lord saw fit to save my wretched soul back in Feb 2024, at the age of 38 years old! Since then, I've already begun to see the importance of celebrating laboring for Gods Kingdom and rejoicing in the soul-saving good works of the gospel! In the parable of the lost sheep found in Luke 15:1-7, Jesus teaches about an owner of 100 sheep having lost 1 of the 100 sheep and leaving the 99 remaining sheep to find the 1 sheep that was lost. Jesus describes the joy the owner feels when he finds the lost sheep and compares that joy to the rejoicing in heaven when even one lost soul is saved through the proclamation of the gospel. AMEN!
The Pre-requisite to Good Works:
First and foremost, salvation is Christ Jesus IS the beginning step of being able to do ANY good works as defined by God. There are no good works apart from the reconciliation Christ offers to those who place their trust in Him for their salvation (Psalm 16:2, John 15:5). When we become a believer in Christ, we are then set apart and sanctified to begin walking by the spirit in the good works God has purpose for us since before time began (Leviticus 20:26, Ephesians 1:4, 1 Corinthians 6:11).
Biblical Work:
To understand biblically-focused good works, it is helpful to take a very brief look at a few examples of God's work first.
God's foundational work of the creation of the universe sets the stage for everything else to come throughout human history. This work included creating the heavens, the earth and the fullness there of, the animals, and the first man and woman (Genesis 1-2).
One of the most important works of God is the work of redemption of the sinner or lost soul through the obedient life, sacrificial death, and victorious ressurection of God's only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. After the fall of man and our separation from God because of sin (Genesis 3), God began this redemptive work through revealing Himself to and working through various prophets in the Old Testament to carry out His work of redeeming and rescuing His people.
In the New Testament, God continues His redemptive work through the life, death, and ressurection of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. God's redemptive work, as shown through the person of Christ, allows for us today to be saved, forgiven of our sins, reconciled to God in Christ, and set apart for the good works God has for us. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". This verse is a summary of the gospel message, highlighting God's immense love as demonstrated in the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the promise of eternal life for those who believe in Him.
God wants all men to be saved through believing in the redemptive work of Christ Jesus on the cross. 1 Timothy 2:4 says "God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth". 2 Peter 3:9 echoes God's desire for all to turn from sin and come to salvation, stating "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance". Jesus Himself also shares this sentiment in John 4:34 when He says “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work.
God's work also includes provision for His people. God shows powerful examples of His provision for the Israelites during their captivity in Egypt and during time in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. During the Israelites captivity, God provided protection for them as He brought the wrath of the 10 Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-11). After their Exodus from Egypt, God provided miraculous guidance, leading them through the wilderness with a cloud by day and a pilar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). God also provides sustanence for them, bringing down manna and quail from heaven (Exodus 16) and water from the rock (Exodus 17).
God also works all things together for the good of His children (Romans 8:28). This reflects God's ability to use all circumstances, including adversity, for His greater good purposes. The “good” in this context does not refer to earthly comfort but conformity to Christ (Rom.8:29), closer fellowship with God, bearing good fruit for the kingdom, and final glorification (Rom 8:30).
The Work of Believers:
The good work of the believer begins with a person placing their faith and trust in Christ for their salvation. Jesus defines the primary spiritual work for humanity as believing in Him. John 6:29 says "The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent." This verse tells us that faith in Jesus Christ is the most important work of the believer which begins a life of spiritual obedience.
In order to receive the salvation and the inheritance of eternal life as part of God's redemptive work, we must recognize that we are all sinners in need of his salvation (Romans 3:23) and turn from our unbelief to believe in Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15)! The minute we place our trust and faith in Christ, we recieve salvation and are then able to participate in the good works of the gospel. Ephesians 2:10 tells us "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The good works of the believer is outlined in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus charges His followers to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.". This work is the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! In Romans 1:16, the Apostle Paul says "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, and also to the Greek".
2 Timothy 4:5 instructing believers to "do the work of an evangelist". We can do this gospel centered evangelistic work in almost any type of job, in practically any location. We can be a witness for christ, fulfulling the calling of the great commission no matter where we are or what job/position we have. Colossians 3:23-24 says "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. We should strive to complete our work wholeheartedly giving our best effort, without complaint, knowing that God sees and values our attitude and effort in all tasks.
Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” This verse essentially says that the entire world is the field of harvest for the redemption of souls but those who are called by God for the mission work of sharing the gospel are few.
Our work can also be a form of worship and a way to let our light shine, so that others may see our good deeds and praise God in heaven. Matthew 5:16, which states, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (NIV). Like God providing for various needs of the Israelites in the wilderness, believers are also charged with helping the poor and needy (Deuteronomy 15:11, Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 25:34-40), and supporting those in the body of Christ as well (Ephesians 4:32, 1 Peter 4:9, Romans 12:10).
A bit about my current good works:
Since my salvation, I have also been involved regularly in a number of good works in sharing the gospel of Christ. God has purposed in my heart to create this very blog to continually share my faith and walk in Christ with the world, that someone might be saved through my testimony. I have also been volunteering once a month to make/serve meals to our neighbors at a local drug and abuse recovery center. I have also been volunteering to serve in multiple capacities at the church at which I'm currently a member and and regular attending. I've also been involved in multiple Christian community groups, frequently sharing my testimony of Christ's work in my life.
Endurance in the work:
There are a number of bible passages that admonish us to work with endurance. Galatians 6:9 encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good, as their labor will eventually bring a harvest. 1 Corinthians 15:58 charges believers to remain steadfast in our work and reminds us that our labor is not in vain. Knowing that our working is for the Lord. 1 Timothy 4:10 says For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Hebrews 6:10 reminds us that God will not overlook your work nor the love we show for His name in serving the body of Christ.
Warnings about Idleness:
The Bible warns against laziness and encourages diligence, showing the importance of being productive and responsible. Proverbs 13:4 says "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied". 2 Thessalonians 3: 6 and 10 says ”Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us…For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat”. These verses emphasize the importance of earning one's own living and not living in idleness and inactivity.
Joy even in the seasons of fruitless work:
Every Christian will experience seasons of unfruitfulness, for various reasons. Despite this, we should not lose hope that our works will produce fruit, as Jesus said that those who abide in the vine will bear fruit (Johm 15:1-5). We must also remember that most of the fruit of our efforts will likely not be made known to us until the works of the Christian are judged at the the Judgement Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).
In our salvation, God gives us His Spirit, and one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy (Galatians 5:22-23). Though we may not recognize the fruits of our labor in sharing the gospel of Christ, we are reminded that we can have always have joy in our Savior because He lives inside of us and God's Spirit is always in the believer. Habakkuk 3:17-18 reminds us that we can rejoice in the Lord despite the fact that we may be experiencing unfruitfulness. Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to give up our efforts and we will reap reward in due season.
Peace and Rest in the Laboring:
God Himself rested after finishing His work in the 6 days of creation, setting aside the 7th day as a day of rest and worship (Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11). I found it an interesting thought that although God is tireless and infinite in energy (Isaiah 40:28-31), that he would mandate a day of rest for believers. I imagine that He did so knowing that we humans DO grow weary and tired.
In the thick of all the laboring for the Kingdom, we can find ourselves tired and worn out, not just from any physical exertion, but more importantly from the spiritual toll the battle between good and evil can take on the believer (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus also invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising to give them rest for their souls and true peace outside of their present circumstance (Matthew 11:28-30).
This toiling for the kingdom can also begin to make us anxious and discouraged. It is very likely that we may not see much obvious impact of our gospel sharing efforts for kingdom growth. On the outside, it may look like we are fighting a never ending battle against sin, but we already know that Christ has won the final victory over sin and death by His ressurection and we can work with endurance because of that fact.
Gods word tells us not to be anxious, assuring the believer peace because our focus is on Christ the final victor! Philippians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." I have already experienced a bit of this peace from God so far in my own life with my own minute worries and anxieties about current world and prophetic events.
God's Eternal Rest:
God's inheritance for His people is the eternal life and eternal rest He makes available through the salvation offered in Christ Jesus. Hebrews 4:10 states, "For whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his". This verse connects the concept of God's own rest after creation to the eternal Sabbath rest that remains for God's people in the future age. Revelation 14:13 promises that those who die in the Lord will rest from their labors in God's presence. Revelation 14:13 says "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”. This verse speaks to an eternal rest that awaits believers after death. It offers comfort and a promise of peace from worldly toils and struggles for those who have lived their lives in service to God.
Conclusion:
In Jesus, we find our true purpose of loving God, loving others, and laboring for God's eternal kingdom through our gospel centered work. Only those truly born again in Christ Jesus are able to labor for the Kingdom of God. We are called to freely and loving walk by the spirit and not by the flesh, fulfilling the good works God has prepared for us since before time began. We are to complete this gospel-centered work in service to the God of our salvation, and live in the good works through the salvation Jesus purchased for us all on the cross! AMEN!