So those of you that are here today, at least some of you are like me, still learning to write 2013 instead of 2012. And also, as I am, are still amazed at how quickly 2012 came and went.
Each time a new year comes, it brings with it a renewed sense of adventure, and an equally renewed sense of resolve and determination, usually about some great new resolution that we ave made to improve ourselves, or our situations, or to explore some new thing that we have always wanted to try. Something that may or may not shock some of you is the fact that most if not all of those resolutions, have already been broken by the majority of people here today. This is not some New Year phenomenon, but it is in-fact something the Bible has shown to be true for a very long time, and we are going to explore this fact today, and how it helps us in our lives.
There is a seldom taught and often misunderstood scripture block in 1st Corinthians 15:56-58. Let’s read it now:
“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Pay close attention to what is being said here. I have heard it said on certain occasions, some people commenting on how strong a propensity towards a certain sin seems to be. But where does sin get its strength from? Have you ever wondered that?
The verses we have just read make it quite clear… sin gets its strength from the law. Now what law is being referenced here? The Ten Commandments.
Now I know that some would immediately rebut and say “But the ten commandments are good because they are from God and we need them.”, and to that I would say that you are partly right, the law is good, the law is in-fact too good! The law is perfect! But it was never intended for us to follow, it was never intended to save us. Can I prove that in scripture? Yes I can! Romans 5:20 states that the whole purpose for the law was to show us the fullness of our sins. But why? It was so that we could see the need for our savior Jesus Christ.
So since we now know where sin receives its strength from, what should we do? Abolish all law and live in anarchy? Certainly not!
Let us examine the next verse in 1st Corinthians 15:57:
“But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Notice that the victory is not in ourselves alone. It does not come by our own efforts, or trying harder. And this is where so many people miss it, even in resolutions, as I mentioned earlier. The more that we try, the harder it becomes to resist temptation. The more we try to quit smoking, the more we try to diet, the more we try to stop drinking, the more we try not to get angry, the more we try not to lust… The more we exalt our own strength of our will-power, then the more we will fall flat.
That statement may surprise some of you today, but it is true. It is not our victory alone, but the victory is given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. And how does He give us the victory? Look at the next verse:
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
When we are always abounding in the work (singular definite article). Whose work? The Lord, His work, Jesus’ work. Not our work, His work.
When we are abounding, abundant, filled with the truth and reality of His finished work for us in our daily lives, then we will be steadfast, unmovable, unshakable and victorious over sin and all the work of the enemy… and the best part? It will be effortless for us! Because it won’t be our effort. The work is already done! Our only job is to glory and rest in His finished work! Hallelujah!
Give Jesus the praise!
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