“Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chron. 15:7).
“God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” All that we do for the Lord’s honor or glory, no matter how little or insignificant it may seem to men, will be rewarded by Him. And while we know that the greatest reward will be at the judgment seat of Christ, when He comes for us, yet even now our Lord has promised that “if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.” So “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,” not forgetting the Lord’s words that “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” So “let not your hands be slack,” for “he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” “Ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”
The work seems hard and burdensome;
We have no strength for the way,
But we know that all done for Him
Awaits His smile in that day.
References: Heb. 6:10; John 12:26; Gal. 6:9-10; 2 Cor. 12:9; Zeph. 3:16; Psa. 126:6; Isa. 40:29; 2 Thess. 3:13.
The Major Tenets of Paul's Gospel
(Each blessing is inseparably connected with our acceptance
“in Christ” – see J. N. Darby Translation.)
REDEMPTION in Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:24; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).
Redemption of our souls (Titus 2:13-14).
Redemption of our time (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5).
Redemption of our bodies (Rom. 8:23; Eph. 4:30).
Redemption of our inheritance (Eph. 1:14).
FORGIVENESS OF SINS in Christ—a purged conscience (Rom. 4:7; Eph. 4:32; Heb. 9:14).
Eternal (Judicial) Forgiveness (Acts 13:38; 26:18; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).
Governmental Forgiveness (2 Tim. 4:16).
Administrative Forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:7-10).
Restorative Forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
Brotherly Forgiveness (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).
JUSTIFICATION in Christ Jesus (Rom. 4:25-5:1; Gal. 2:16-17).
"From" all things (Acts 13:39).
"Unto" justification of life (Rom. 5:18).
THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT in Christ (Rom. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 1 Thess. 4:8).
Anointed—for power (2 Cor. 1:21).
Sealed—for assurance (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30).
Earnest—for enjoyment (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14).
RECONCILIATION in Christ Jesus—"enemies" who believe are "made nigh" (Rom. 5:10; Eph. 2:13; Col. 1:21), and "all things" restored (Col. 1:20).
God's side—for the Godhead's pleasure (Col. 1:22).
Believer's side—for our joy (Rom. 5:10-11).
SANCTIFICATION in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:19; 1 Cor. 1:2).
Absolute or Positional (through new birth—1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2 and through the death and resurrection of Christ—Acts 26:18; Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:2, 30; Heb. 10:10, 14; 13:12).
Progressive or Practical (Rom. 6:19; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 5:26; 1 Thess. 4:3-4; 5:23; Heb. 12:14).
Relative or External (1 Cor. 7:14-17; Heb. 10:29).
ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:23; 2 Tim. 1:1).
The present possession of divine life with the conscious knowledge of the relationships of the Father and the Son by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 6:23; John 4:14; 17:3, etc.).
The sphere of life into which the believer will be brought in the future when he is glorified with Christ (Rom. 2:7; 5:21; 6:22; Gal. 6:8; 1 Tim. 1:16; Titus 1:2; 3:7, etc.).
DELIVERANCE (Salvation) through "the law of the Spirit of life" in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:2).
Past—the penalty of sin/sins (Rom. 8:1).
Present—the power of sin (Rom. 8:2-17).
Future—the presence of sin (Rom. 8:18-30).
SONSHIP in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:14-15; Gal. 3:26; 4:5-7). We share:
The Son’s place of favour (Eph. 1:6).
The Son’s life—eternal life (John 17:2).
The Son’s liberty before the Father (Rom. 8:14-16).
The Son’s inheritance (Rom. 8:17).
The Son’s glory (Rom. 8:18; John 17:22).
HEIRSHIP of the inheritance in Christ (Rom. 8:17; Eph. 1:10-11; Gal. 3:29).
NEW CREATION in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:29; Gal. 6:15; 2 Cor. 5:17).
UNION—Membership in the “one body” in Christ (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12-13).
