1 Coríntios 15
Andrew Murray · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Coríntios 15:9
Murray has an interesting thought in his book entitled Humility, explaining that it is Paul's continual awareness of God's grace that makes his continually so conscious of his sinfulness... The more Paul rejoiced in God's salvation, and the more his experience of God's grace filled him with joy unspeakable, the clearer was his consciousness that he was a saved sinner, and that salvation had no meaning or sweetness except as the sense of his being a sinner made it precious and real to him. Never for a moment could he forget that it was a sinner God had taken up in His arms and crowned with His love...The three passages above quoted (Ed: see table) all show that it was the wonderful grace bestowed upon Paul, and of which he felt the need every moment, that humbled him so deeply. The grace of God that was with him, and enabled him to labor more abundantly than they all (1Cor 15:9, 10); the grace to preach to the heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ep 3:8); the grace that was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus (1Ti 1:12, 13, 14, 15, 16), it was this grace of which it is the very nature and glory that it is for sinners, that kept the consciousness of his having once sinned, and being liable to sin, so intensely alive. "Where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly." (Ro 5:20) This reveals how the very essence of grace is to deal with and take away sin, and how it must ever be the more abundant the experience of grace, the more intense the consciousness of being a sinner. It is not sin, but God's grace showing a man and ever reminding him what a sinner he was, that, will keep him truly humble. It is not sin, but grace, that will make me indeed know myself a sinner, and make the sinner's place of deepest self-abasement the place I never leave. (Andrew Murray. Humility - The Beauty of Holiness) I am the least of the apostles - In one sense Paul was the least because he was the last and not even one of the original 12, but that is not why he claims to be the least. It is because he persecuted Christ, something none of the other apostles did. O'Brien commenting on Eph 3:8 but relevant to 1Co 15:9 that "As he reflects on his commission to be Christs missionary to the Gentiles Paul is filled with amazement at the extraordinary privilege that has been given to him. Using a very striking expression in which he neither indulges in hypocrisy nor grovels in self-deprecation, he indicates how deeply conscious he is of his own unworthiness and of Christs overflowing grace to him. (O'Brien, P. T. The letter to the Ephesians. The Pillar New Testament commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co) Paul (Paulus) means “little” in Latin, and perhaps Paul bore this name because he realized how insignificant he really was. There is a powerful lesson in this truth for all believers, all "priests" of the Most High God - God uses the "little" that He might be the "big", that He alone might receive the glory (Ps 115:1). As someone has well said "Great men never think they are great—small men never think they are small." You may feel "little" but rejoice for that is exactly the one God can use. It may not be a ministry like Paul's but in God's economy every saint is valuable for His kingdom work and every saint, no matter how "little" they perceive themselves, has the potential to be a "vessel of honor, set apart, prepared for every good (God) work." (2Ti 2:21-note) John the Baptist understood this basic Biblical principle when he declared He must increase, but I must decrease. (Jn 3:30-note) There are several observations you should make on John 3:30. Before you read any further, go back and meditate on this verse and ask God to show you some of the treasures in this short declarative sentence. Then read the thoughts below ( but it is unlikely that these 3 points exhaust the depths of this verse) -- (1) The order - Jesus first, "I" afterwards. Focus on Jesus and as He increases, you will decrease. Don't try to make yourself decrease, so that He might increase, for this is the "works" way and not the grace way. (2) The verb "must" (dei [word study]) signifies that Jesus increasing is not optional but mandatory. He "must"! it is a necessity and ultimately an inevitability, for God has greatly exalted Him and one day (soon) He will reign as King of kings in His Millennial Kingdom on earth. (3) Both the verbs increase (auxano [word study]) and decrease (elattoo [word study]) are in the present tense which indicate that both "actions" describe a process, not a completed event, at least not in this lifetime. Indeed, when our bodies are resurrected (1Co 15:51, 52, 53, 54, 1Th 4:15, 16-note, 1Th 4:17, 18-note) and we are glorified, "we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is" (1Jn 3:2-note). But until our faith becomes sight and that Blessed Hope becomes our fulfilled expectation, He is to continually be increasing. How does He increase? The most obvious answer is through our Spirit taught, illuminated reading of His Word, for as Hebrews 1:2-note says "in these last days (God) has spoken to us in His Son", the written revelation. This truth begs the question - are you spending time with Jesus in His Word? Are you allowing the Spirit to teach you about and point to the greatness of Jesus (Jn 15:26 = the Spirit bears witness of Jesus. He points to Jesus, NEVER to Himself!)? Or are you reading devotionals about Jesus and not reading the "living and active word"? The devotionals may be good (but some are not even that if they wander too far from the Scripture or become too "mystical" or too profane), but the Word is the best. To the point, devotionals, Christian books, etc are NOT a substitute for the "pure milk of the Word" for ONLY by the Word does one grow in respect to their salvation (progressive sanctification - growth in holiness - increasing conformity to Christ) (1Pe 2:2-note). As Luke says (in a literal rendering of the Greek text) "No word of God can fail." (Lk 1:37) The 1901 Authorized Standard Version reads "no word from God shall be void of power." (Lk 1:37ASV) Do you believe that statement? Let me ask again - Are you in the non-failing (Josh 21:45, 23:14), all powerful Word of God on a regular basis (more to the point, even daily - because that is what Jesus advised - Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4, cp Dt 8:3)? The corollary question is this - Is that all powerful, fully sufficient Word IN you (cp Col 3:16-note), coursing through your heart and mind? Are you surrendered to and filled with (Ep 5:18-note, cp Gal 5:16-note) and fully allowing the Spirit to teach you (are you confessed up, repented up, not quenching the Spirit-1Th 5:19-note, not grieving Him - Ep 4:30-note)? If the "living and active Word" (He 4:12-note) is flowing through you and renewing your mind, Jesus will be increasing and you will be steadily and surely decreasing. And this "position" is a good place to be in God's economy, for James teaches that ""GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." (Jas 4:6-note). As Charles Spurgeon once said "Let us be humble that we may not need to be humbled, but may be exalted by the grace of God." Thomas Watson adds that "Till we are poor in spirit we are not capable of receiving grace." Thomas Watson... Another means to fruitfulness is humility. The low grounds are most fruitful. "The valleys are covered with grain." (Psalm 65:13). The humble heart is the fruitful heart. The largest and sweetest fruits of the Spirit, grow in a humble Christian. 1Peter 5:5: "God gives grace to the humble." Paul called himself the least of saints—yet he was the chief of the apostles. Until a man is nothing God can make nothing of him. --Martin Luther W E Vine comments that "This self-condemnatory recollection of a sinful past is set as an example to all in whom the grace of God has so wrought." Henry Law writes that...Paul calls upon His followers to be clothed with humility. He here (in comments on Ep 3:8 but relevant to 1Co 15:9) shows that this was the clothing in which he was clad. He appears as the follower of Jesus, who was meek and lowly in heart. Humility is indeed a precious grace. It thrives not in nature's rank soil. The heathen had no term to depict it. How could they speak of that which to them was utterly unknown! It is a grace which the Spirit deeply implants, when He reveals the misery and filth of indwelling sin. It grows with the growth of faith, and ripens as the celestial home is approached. Paul is a notable example. With what shame he viewed himself when writing to the Corinthians! He says, "I am not meet to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God." When writing to the Romans (Romans 7) he humbles himself as the very bond-slave of iniquity. He states that when he would do good evil was present with him. He finds a law in his members bringing him into captivity to the law of sin which was in his members. In the passage before us he gives precedence to all the people of God, and by invention of a new word in language, he calls himself "less than the least of all saints." (Ep 3:8) Can he sink lower in self-estimation? When his long career of service had reached its close he casts his eye along his life of labor, and humbly bewails that of sinners he is the chief (1Ti 1:15). Far be from us the thought that he did not recognize God's gracious work within. He truly felt, by the grace of God he was what he was, and with ascending step he pressed toward the mark for the prize of his high calling in Christ Jesus (Php 3:14). His was no mock humility. He did not disparage self that he might win applause. But the more the light of heaven shone inwardly, the more it revealed the continuance and the vileness of inbred corruption. The more he knew God the more he loathed himself. The branch laden with abundance of fruit bends beneath the load. The barren twigs shoot upwards. Thus Paul deeply felt and humbly avowed that he was less than the least of all saints. (MEDITATIONS ON EPHESIANS) Law adds that "As he grew in grace he deepened in knowledge of unworthiness. He declared that he was less than the least of all saints. Just before he receives the crown of martyrdom we hear his bewailing voice; Sinners, of whom I am chief. If we had like grace, we should similarly despise self. He who is deeply instructed in the treachery and corruption of his own heart, will always esteem others better than himself. His soul will be deeply conscious of its utter need. Like a helpless babe it will look for support from a parent's care. J Packer has an interesting commentary on Paul's downward progression noting that "Humility and a passion for praise are a pair of characteristics which together indicate growth in grace. The Bible is full of self-humbling (man bowing down before God) and doxology (man giving praise to God). The healthy heart is one that bows down in humility and rises in praise and adoration. The Psalms strike both these notes again and again. So too, Paul in his letters both articulates humility and breaks into doxology. Look at his three descriptions of himself quoted above, dating respectively from around A.D. 59, 63, and 64. As the years pass he goes lower; he grows downward! And as his self-esteem sinks, so his rapture of praise and adoration for the God who so wonderfully saved him rises.Undoubtedly, learning to praise God at all times for all that is good is a mark that we are growing in grace. One of my predecessors in my first parochial appointment died exceedingly painfully of cancer. But between fearful bouts of agony, in which he had to stuff his mouth with bedclothes to avoid biting his tongue, he would say aloud over and over again: “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Ps. 34:1). That was a passion for praise asserting itself in the most poignant extremity imaginable. Cultivate humility and a passion for praise if you want to grow in grace. (from Your Father Loves You by J Packer)...Take a moment from your busy day and worship Him in song with Chris Tomlin's Play "Indescribable"...note especially the last stanza Indescribable, Uncontainable You place the stars in the sky And know them by name You are amazing God Incomparable, unchangeable You see the depths of my heart And you love me the same! You are amazing God! Puritan Thomas Brooks - Paul was the least of all saints in his own eyes; yes, he was less than the least of all saints, Ep 3:8. This is a double diminutive, and signifies "lesser than the least," if lesser might be. Here you have the greatest apostle descending down to the lowest step of humility, 1Co 15:8, 4:9; 1Ti 1:15. Great Paul is least of saints, least of the apostles, and greatest of sinners in his own eyes, and never had any mortal more of the gracious presence of God with him in all his services and in all his sufferings, in all his afflictions and in all his temptations, in all his trials and in all his troubles, which were many and great. See Acts 16:23, 24, 25, Acts 23:10, 11, Acts 27:23-25; 2Co 1:8-10, 4:8-11, 7:4,-7, 11:21, 12:7-10. (A Word in Season for Suffering Saints) Least (1646) (elachistos = superlative of mikrós = small) means... (1) the lowest in status (not so in Mt 2:6, 1Co 15:9 ~ Ep 3:8, Mt 5:19, Mt 25:40, 45, Lxx = Ge 25:23, 2Ki 18:24 = "least of my master's servants", Da 2:39 = "another kingdom inferior to you"), (2) the smallest in a class (eg, bodily "organs" - one of the smallest very fittingly compared to a rudder of a large vessel = Jas 3:4, Ge 1:16 = the moon, "lesser light", Lxx = Josh 6:26 = "youngest", Job 30:1 = "younger than I"), (3) and finally as a description of something deemed trivial or of little significance (1Co 6:2, Lk 12:26, 16:10, 19:17, 1Co 4:3). (4) smallest in amount or size (Lxx = Ex 16:17, 18, Nu 26:54, 33:54, 35:8, 1Sa 9:21 = "smallest of Israel's tribes", Pr 30:24 - see the "smallest" in Pr 30:25, 26 27, 28, Job 16:6 = "pain...not lessened", Job 18:7 = "stride is shortened", Isa 60:22 = "the least one a mighty nation", Jer 30:14 = "little ones of the flock") Paul is saying he is "more least than all the saints". In fact, elachistos means "less than the least" and expresses Paul's honest, deep self-abasement. In other words, Paul is not exhibiting a sense of false humility but a true self-estimate from a man filled with the Holy Spirit and one who knew his true unworthiness in face of "gift of God's grace" and the perfect righteousness of God. Paul wrote a similar self-estimate in other letters in which there seems to be a spiritual progression characterized by a heightened sense of one's own moral shortcoming when compared with Christ's perfect righteousness (see preceding table). Anyone who sees Christ in His glory sees in stark contrast his own sinfulness. As Christ increased in Paul, Paul decreased. Stated another way, a growing understanding the deep truths of God’s Word does not give a man a big head; it gives him a broken and contrite heart. Paul (Paulus) means “little” in Latin, and perhaps Paul bore this name because he realized how insignificant he really was. Thomas Watson writes of Paul 'This illustrious Apostle, a star of the first magnitude, shrank into nothing in his own eyes! William Secker (1660) wrote "Pride is a sinner's torment—but humility is a saint's ornament. The garment of humility—should always be worn on the back of Christianity.
1 Coríntios 15:10
Murray warns us not to get lost in "the work" reminding us that… abounding work needs abounding grace as its source and strength. There often is abounding work without abounding grace. Just as any man may be very diligent in an earthly pursuit, or a heathen in his religious service of an idol, so men may be very diligent in doing religious work in their own strength, with but little thought of that grace which alone can do true, spiritual effective work. For all work that is to be really acceptable to God, and truly fruitful, not only for some visible result here on earth, but for eternity, the grace of God is indispensable. Paul continually speaks of his own work as owing everything to the grace of God working in him (1Co 15:10)… It is only by the grace of God working in us that we can do what are truly good works. It is only as we seek and receive abounding grace that we can abound in every good work. (Andrew Murray. Working For God) As we see that it is God's own work we have to work out, that He works it through us, that in our doing it His glory rests on us and we glorify Him, we shall count it our joy to give ourselves to live only and wholly for it… God's work must be done in God's way, and in God's power. It is spiritual work, to be done by spiritual men, in the power of the Spirit. The clearer our insight into, and the more complete our submission to, God's laws of work, the surer and the richer will be our joy and our reward in it… (Murray offered his) fervent prayer that God, the Great Worker, may make us true Fellow-Workers with Himself… In both 1Co 15:10 and 2Co 12:9,11 Paul speaks of how he had abounded in the work of the Lord. 'In nothing was I behind the chiefest of the Apostles.' 'I labored more abundantly, than they all.' In both he tells how entirely it was all of God, who worked in Him, and not of himself. In the first he says: 'Not I, but the grace of God which was with me.' And then in the second, showing how this grace is Christ's strength working in us, while we are nothing, he tells us: 'He said unto me: My grace is sufficient for thee: My power is made perfect in weakness.' May God give us 'the Spirit of revelation, enlightened eyes of the heart,' to see this wonderful vision, a man who knows himself to be nothing, glorying in his weakness, that the power of Christ may rest on him, and work through him, and who so labors more abundantly than all. What does this teach us as workers for God… God's work can only be done in God's strength… God's strength can only work in weakness… God's strength comes in our fellowship with Christ and His service… God's strength is given to faith, and the work that is done in faith… (Ed: To see Murray's discussion regarding each of these points, refer to Chapter 26) My brother (and sister)! be willing to yield yourself to the very utmost to God, that His power may rest upon you, may work in you. Do let God work through you. Offer yourself to Him for His work as the one object of your life. Count upon His working all in you, to fit you for His service, to strengthen and bless you in it. Let the faith and love of your Lord Jesus, whose strength is going to be made perfect in your weakness, lead you to live even as He did, to do the Father's will and finish His work. (Chapter 26 - Laboring More Abundantly from Andrew Murray's book - "Working for God" - I highly recommend this little book to all who would desire to be fruitful and obtain an abundant harvest that endures throughout eternity!) (Check out the Chapter Titles in the Table of Contents) Thomas Watson… Improve this short time by doing all the service you can for God. Wisdom may be learned from an enemy. Satan is more fierce because he knows his time is short (Re 12:12). We would act more vigorously for God seeing our time is short. Our lives should be as jewels—though little in quantity yet great in value. Paul knew his stay in the world was short, therefore, how zealous and active was he for God while he lived! (1Co 15:10) (Time's Shortness) The faithful pastor works hard among his people and ministers to them as a shepherd cares for his sheep. In a parallel instruction Paul says to Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. (1Ti 5:17) Samuel Bagster's Daily Light on the Daily Path (highly recommended devotional which consists of the "pure milk of the Word") has the following evening entry…August 24, Evening Sola Scriptura - NAS version We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is coming, when no man can work. THE soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat.--He who waters will himself be watered. My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.--The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season --Do business with this until I come back. I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Jn 9.4. Pr. 13.4-Pr 11.25. Jn 4.34, 35, 36.--Mt 20.1, 2. 2Ti 4.2.-- Lk 19.13. 1Co 15.10. The Pulpit Commentary commenting on 1Th 1:3 writes… Love, the greatest of the three, manifests itself in labor. The word is a strong one; “toil,” perhaps, is a better rendering. Toil is not painful when it is prompted by love. True Christian love must lead the believer to toil for the gospel’s sake, for the souls and bodies of those whom Jesus loved. The abundance of the Christian’s labors is the measure of his love. “I labored more abundantly than they all” (says Paul 1Cor. 15:10): “yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” THE "YET NOT I" PRINCIPLE Yet not I - Paul gives the glory to the grace of God and the God of grace. I call it Paul's "yet not I" principle which is the "secret" of successful (God pleasing) service and genuine good (God) works (see Good Deeds).
1 Coríntios 15:58
Murray writes "This work of the Lord is no easy one (ED: SEE VERB "TOIL" BELOW). It cost Christ His life to conquer sin and Satan and gain the risen life. It will cost us our life, too--the sacrifice of the life of nature. It needs the surrender of all on earth to live in the full power of resurrection newness of life (Ed: This power is supplied by the indwelling Spirit as we yield to Him, allow ourselves to be filled by Him and walk by Him. "LET GOD AND LET'S GO!" NOT "LET GOD AND LET GO"). The power of Sin, and the world, in those around us is strong, and Satan does not yield his servants an easy prey to our efforts. It needs a heart in close touch with the risen Lord (cp the idea of abiding in Christ in Jn 15:5), truly living the resurrection life (IN DEPENDENCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT), to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. But that is a life that can be lived--because Jesus lives (Ed: AND HIS SPIRIT LIVES IN US TO GIVE US THE DESIRE AND POWER - Php 2:13NLT+. And it is also the example of the life Jesus the God-Man left for us to follow in His steps - in other words, as a Man, Jesus surrendered to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit [see Lk 4:1,2+, Lk 4:14+, this last verse marking the inception of His three year ministry!], the pattern we must continually seek to emulate. See discussion of Walking Like Jesus Walked! see "summary" of Jesus 3 year ministry in Acts 10:37-39+). (Working for God) KNOWING THAT YOUR TOIL IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD: eidotes (RAPMPN) hoti o kopos humon ouk estin (3SPAI) kenos en kurio: Vain - Ps 73:13 Ga 4:11 Php 2:16 1Th 3:5 In the Lord - Mt 10:40, 41, 42 25:31-40 Php 1:11 Heb 13:15,16 WORKING FOR JESUS IS NOT AN "EXERCISE IN FUTILITY!" Godet comments that "The apostle closes by indicating the motive which should always stimulate believers anew in the fulfillment of this task (the indefatigable perseverance which should characterize their work). (Ref online) Knowing (1492) (eido or oida, the latter being the perfect tense of the obsolete eido) literally means perception by sight (perceive, see) as in Mt 2:2+ where the wise men "saw His star". The meaning of eido is somewhat difficult to convey but in general this type of "knowing" is distinguished from ginosko (and epiginosko, epignosis), the other major NT word group for knowing, because ginosko (et al) refers to knowledge obtained by experience ("experiential knowledge"). In contrast eido more often refers to knowledge which is intuitive, although this distinction is not always crystal clear. The idea of eido/oida is to be very sure of something or to know it very well (as in Eph 5:5+). And so Paul is reminding the saints that they know very well that their labor for the sake of the Lord will not be an "exercise in futility" but an exercise in fruitfulness "that will last" (cf Jn 15:8NIV, Jn 15:16NIV).
1 Coríntios 15:58
Murray - 'In the Lord.' The expression is a significant one. Study it in Romans 16 where it occurs ten times, where Paul uses the expressions: 'Receive here in the Lord;' 'my fellow-worker in Christ Jesus;' 'who are in Christ, in the Lord;' 'beloved in the Lord;' 'approved in Christ;' 'who labor in the Lord;' 'chosen in the Lord.' (see Ro 16:2, 8, 11, 12, 13, 22)The whole life and fellowship and service of these saints had the one mark--they were, their labors were, in the Lord. Here is the secret of effectual service. Your labor is not 'in vain in the Lord.' As a sense of His presence and the power of His life is maintained, as all works are wrought in Him, His strength works in our weakness; our labor cannot be in vain in the Lord. Christ said: 'He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.' (Jn 15:5) Oh! let not the children of this world, with their confidence that the masters whose work they are doing will certainly give them their due reward, put the children of light to shame. Let us rejoice and labor in the confident faith of the word: 'Your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Wherefore, beloved brethren, be ye always abounding in the work of the Lord.' (Working for God) EXPERIENCING GOD In his modern Christian Classic "Experiencing God", Henry Blackaby encourages us to follow Jesus' example as we seek to do the work of God… The first thing Jesus recognized is that His Father was always at His work. God did not create the world and then just leave it to run all by itself. He is not just sitting in some heavenly place passively observing all the activity on earth. God is orchestrating history. He is present and in the middle of all history. God is the One who is at work redeeming a lost world. His desire is to involve His people and His servants. Paul described this relationship to the church at Corinth (2Cor 5:17-20+) God has been at work in our world. He is presently at work in our world. Because of His love He wants us to have the privilege of working with Him as His ambassadors. God, however, is the One who is present to do His work through us. Not only did Jesus acknowledge that His Father was working, but He also said that His Father now had Him [Jesus] working. Then Jesus described His approach to knowing and doing God’s will. I would outline it like this: Jesus’ Example The Father has been working right up until now. Now the Father has Me working. I do nothing on My own initiative. I watch to see what the Father is doing. I do what I see the Father already is doing. You see, the Father loves Me. He shows Me everything that He, Himself, is doing. The Father’s Work Through Jesus - This description of Jesus’ reveals several of the key elements in the Seven Realities of Experiencing God. God is at work. He pursues a love relationship and invites Jesus to be involved with Him by revealing what He is doing. Jesus then makes the adjustment to do what His Father is doing. Jesus spoke several times about this relationship: • “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” (John 7:16) • “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.” (John 8:28) • “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” (John 10:37-38) • “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.” (John 12:49) • “The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.” (John 14:10) • “For I have given to them the words which You [the Father] have given Me.” (John 17:8) Later, Peter recognized that this was the relationship Jesus had with His Father. He explained, “Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs which God did through Him in your midst” (Acts 2:22, italics added). God the Father did His work through Jesus the Son. Jesus realized that He could do nothing by Himself. Yet with the Father at work in Him, He could do anything. If Jesus was that dependent on the Father, then you and I should realize we are even more dependent on God the Father to be working in and through us. (Recommendation - If you have never done the study Experiencing God, I cannot encourage you to working through the lessons with other saints who do not want their work to be in vain! See this link - Experiencing God) In his book Practical Christianity, A W Pink sought to make a clear distinction between work of/in the Lord and work for the Lord (he makes some interesting points with which you may or may not agree!) - Our present design is twofold: to censure a misuse, and to explain the meaning of the following verse: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1Co 15:58). In the heedless hurry of this slipshod age not a few have taken those words as though they read, “Work for the Lord,” and have used them as a slogan for what is now styled “Christian service,” most of which is quite unscriptural—the energy of the flesh finding an outlet in certain forms of religious activities. In this day of pride and presumption it has been quite general to speak of engaging in work for the Lord, and to entertain the idea that He is beholden to such people for the same, that were their labours to cease, His cause would not prosper. To such an extent has this conceit been fostered that it is now a common thing to hear and read of our being “co-workers with God” and “co-operators” with Him… But it is likely to be asked, Does not Scripture itself speak of the saints, or at least ministers of the Gospel, being "co-workers with God"? The emphatic answer is No, certainly not. (Read his full discussion regarding "The Work of the Lord") Dan T Lioy notes that Paul affirms to the saints at Corinth (and to you and I beloved) that "Their efforts would never be wasted, since in Christ they would bear eternal fruit and reap a heavenly reward. From this it is clear that only in Christ can work and leisure be enjoyable, beneficial, and fulfilling for people of faith. (Life and Death in Biblical Perspective An Examination of Genesis 5, Ecclesiastes 1, and 1Corinthians 15:50-58) OUR TOIL IS EITHER… VANITY OF VANITIES OR NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD