pramsay posted on January 01, 2008 04:52 1786 views

A Reason to Go On in 2008!

Paul, pack it in and call it quits! It is absolutely crazy. You’re trying to do the will of God; you’re up early and at it and you go to bed late and barely sleep at night thinking about all that awaits you. So many people are against you – even the Christians; backstabbing you every time they get a chance; running you down and slinging mud and dirt at you; falsely accusing you and everything else. The Jews are trying to kill you. The list is much longer than that. As I said, call it quits. It’s useless. It’s all in vain. You’ve lost the battle.”

Have you ever secretly harbored the question: “What’s the use? Is ‘being faithful’ really worth it? Is there any use ‘going on’ for the Lord? Or is it all in vain?” If you’re having one of those days, or weeks or months, block out some time and get alone with the Lord, open up your Bible to 1Corinthians 15 and read it from beginning to end.

But you interject: “Did you say 1 Corinthians 15? Isn’t that the heavy duty chapter that deals with the doctrine of the resurrection? I’m not sure that would help me at this point. Isn’t that chapter sort of dry and repetitive? Isn’t it the longest chapter in the Epistles?”

So you’re not sure that 1 Corinthians 15 would give you a lift? You can’t see how it could put a song in your heart and a smile on your face?

Christ died for our sins; He was buried. But today He is alive. His resurrection wasn’t a hoax. There were many people who saw the risen Christ before He returned to Heaven.  His resurrection is proof that we too will be raised from the dead. This life is not all there is. After our time on earth is over, we enter a new dimension. We shall all be changed. We shall reign with Him and serve Him eternally. We will no longer be plagued by doubts and fears.  Sin and temptation will no longer be nipping at our heels and harassing us.

We’ll live in a state of uninterrupted victory and glory through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is our future that we are to enjoy with anticipation today.

If the corpse of Christ was still in the graveyard, then forget everything. It would ALL be in vain. Every hope would be dashed; everything would crash. But praise God – Christ is alive! Because He lives, we can face today, tomorrow and the day after that as well. Because He lives, you can face 2008!

In light of the resurrection and our incredibly bright future with Him, the Apostle Paul writes these words:

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.

(1Corinthians 15:58)

Why should you push forward as a Christian in 2008? Because He lives and soon you shall be with Him – in His immediate presence eternally. Living another year for the Lord is not useless. In fact, there is every reason to put even more effort into living for Christ. If 2007 wasn’t the year you wanted it to be, 2008 can be! God has allowed you to make it to 2008.

“Lord, thanks for bringing me into a New Year. Sorry about last year. This could be the year I will be called into Your eternal presence. Help me to be faithful, steadfast and unmovable. Help me to excel and thrive in my life for Thee. You have reminded me again that my effort and toil is not in vain. It is of eternal significance. Lord strengthen me.” 

Translate