1 Cor 15.57,58 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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.

We have victory in the risen Lord Jesus Christ, beloved. Our sins are completely forgiven. We have been given newness of life. The Spirit of God has sealed us as the personal possession of God. Because of Christ; only because of Christ’s death on the cross, burial and resurrection, are we victorious. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. That’s the conclusion Paul makes at the end of the great “Resurrection Chapter.”

Jesus Christ, The Last Adam, is that life giving spirit Who has given us the power to represent Him and live for Him in this fallen world. The devil is constantly wanting us to look into the mirror and find some worthiness in our own flesh. That is a sure recipe for legalism and discouragement. Dear ones, look to the gospel and the resurrection power that we have in Christ Jesus this morning. Yes, we are sinners. Yes, we are flawed and broken to the core. Yes, we fall short of the glory of God. But that is why Jesus came, to redeem sinful men. So, as you go about your business today, you are apt to get discouraged or depressed because your conduct does not measure up to the high standard of God’s requirement, which is sinless perfection. Good News! Jesus lived a perfectly obedient life, died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice for sin, and He gives to those who believe in Him forgiveness and newness of life.

So in light of that gospel truth, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. It’s not about us, it’s all about Jesus and walking in the victory that He has obtained for us!