Excerpt from “Accelerator”, Accelerated Christian Education, Feb-Mar 2017, pg 11.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15:58)
This chapter is noted for its emphasis on the Resurrection and the hope Believers have in the Second Coming of Christ. In light of Christ’s second coming, Paul challenged us to be steadfast, unmoveable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord.
Steadfast is being firmly fixed on doing God’s will and resolving to accomplish it, regardless of circumstances or human frailties. In Job 11:15 we read, For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear. The writer of Hebrews tells us, For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end. (Hebrews 3:14) Note the words “unto the end.” God wants us to work and labor in His vineyard, to “keep on keeping on,” and to be steadfast unto the end when we shall see Jesus Christ.
Other words to describe steadfast are constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, good, loyal, faithful, staunch, resolute, and unwavering. The opposite of being steadfast is variable, unfaithful, lacking in purpose or direction, unstable and not being resolute.
Daniel is a great example of being steadfast. He was a teenager, perhaps aged 15 to 18, when he was taken into Babylonian captivity around 606 B.C. The last prophecies of Daniel (chapters 10-12) were written by Daniel in about 538 B.C. At that time Daniel was well into his 80s, perhaps aged 84 to 87. He had faithfully served a number of kings and empires for at least 70 years. He was steadfast in his convictions and resolute in serving God, regardless of the cost. God honored him for being steadfast in his work and labor for the Lord. What a great Biblical example of being steadfast!
We need to be steadfast in our convictions to stand for God just as Daniel did. We must be steadfast in our convictions regarding SALVATION. We are saved by grace through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins. We must be steadfast in our convictions regarding SCRIPTURE. The Bible is God’s authoritative, inerrant, divinely inspired Word! It must be believed and practiced. We must be steadfast in our convictions regarding SOULWINNING. God has given us the Great Commission to tell the world about Jesus Christ and how they can be saved. We must be steadfast in our conviction to the GREAT COMMANDMENT. The Lord challenges parents to provide Godly education for their children. We must be steadfast in our convictions regarding CHRIST’S COMING. We need to “keep on keeping on” being steadfast–until Jesus comes. Keep looking UP, for Jesus Christ may come back today!
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15:58)