Hard Work Pays Off

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

. (1 Corinthians 15:58) Work has its rewards! Hard work does indeed pay off. Hours of practice produces winning results. Ask any coach, teacher, or parent. It is no different in the Christian walk. No work for the Lord goes unnoticed or without benefit. If nothing else, God sees our efforts and one day . . . He will reward us. Maybe not today . . . but one day! But we cannot just do things as we please, it requires the right kind of practice . . . according to the rule and regulation of the game (or of life in this case). My coach used to say: "Perfect practice makes perfect!" However, this requires faith in the One who created us because . . .

. . .without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

(Hebrews 11:6) Faith goes hand in hand with diligent and consistent hard work. A sincere faith compels the believer to labor for the Lord. Faith without any hard work is dead . . . according to James.

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

(James 2:17) We are not saved by our works for the Lord. Nothing we can ever do will save us from sin! God's grace calls us to seek the Savior's saving blood and His grace calls us to labor for His purposes. (Ephesians 2:8)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(Ephesians 2:10) We are saved to work for Christ. We cannot and do not work in order to be saved! We may not see the benefits of serving God here on earth. But because we trust in God's promises, we work, we persevere, we do not quit!