1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, 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.

In the 15^th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul addressed his fellow laborers firstly concerning the resurrection of Christ. He reminded them that the foundation of everything they believed in was – that he died for their sins, was buried, raised on the third day and was seen by many witnesses. He then tied in the resurrection of Christ with their own hope for resurrection, and by extension, the hope of every believer in resurrection from the dead. He wrote: “For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (1 Corinthians 15: 16-19).

Paul also made the point that if Christ has not been raised, his/their preaching of the gospel was useless and there was no reason for them to expose themselves to danger continually. That argument was valid then and still is for all who preach, teach and share the gospel around the world. Those who represent Christ in today’s world have to know the certainty of their faith in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Moreover, you and I must believe in the return of Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is the only basis on which we can be steadfast in our faith when opposition comes, all the while resting in the assurance that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.