1 Corinthians 15 is one of the great chapters in God’s Word. It deals with a foundational subject for those of us who are Christians, that is, the resurrection from the dead. Some of the saints in the church at Corinth were denying the resurrection, making Paul spend quite a bit of time and space proving that the dead would be raised.

While proving that we will someday be resurrected from the dead, Paul brings out some wonderful truths, including the victory we have over sin and death. The victory that he refers to, however, is not guaranteed. He closes the chapter with a solemn warning.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
58 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.

Being steadfast in our faithfulness to God is something we should all take very seriously. Notice that Paul writes of our labor being in vain. That will be the case if the Lord comes back and finds us negligent in our duties or unfaithful to God in any capacity.

We will not be judged on a point system on the day of judgment. It is not as if we are going to
be found faithful to God when Jesus returns just because we have done more good works than bad over the years. We will be judged by how we are living when we die or when Christ comes back, whichever happens first. How do you want to be found when the Lord returns?

This should bring the condition of steadfastness into focus for us. Vine says that the Greek word denotes being seated. Thayer says that it refers to those who are morally fixed. Liddell’s Greek-English Lexicon says the word means to stay. Paul doubles down on his exhortation by adding the word “immovable.” This must be our mindset. We must determine that we are not going to allow the devil to move us away from God. We all know that he is going to try. Peter warned us about the devil’s presence.

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

The devil may not be omnipresent, but he sure covers a lot of ground. He moves very quickly up and down the earth, trying to find his next victim. Do you remember what he said when God asked him from where he came? Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” (Job 1:7). We have no indication in the Word of God that he has changed his activity.

Do you want to be prepared when Jesus comes back? The only way you can be sure that you will be is to be steadfast in the work of the Lord. Do not allow your service to God to be inconsistent. Try to avoid going through the cycle of being faithful for a while and then unfaithful for a while. The danger of Jesus coming back and finding you unprepared is too great.

2 Peter 3:14 (ESV)
14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.