Preaching in Vain?

The work of the Lord; this is Paul’s way of talking about the proclamation of the gospel and building in the house of the Lord. We are exhorted to join Paul in his work, and why—because of the cross? Sort of, but not directly. It is because of the resurrection, the sure resurrection of our Lord that we not only can, but should be steadfast in the work of the Lord.

Without the resurrection of our Lord, our faith is in vain and we are still in our sin—still in our sin! How fruitless the preaching of the cross would be. It would be preaching of a cursed Jew (which he was), who died a cruel death (which it was), but he would still have been cursed of God. Well did every Jew know that the one who hangs on a tree is under a curse of God. God’s judgment was upon him. But, because of the resurrection, Jesus is not just cursed for our sake, but also approved of God—vindicated! The resurrection means that God in fact accepted the sacrifice for sin and we no longer have to forever be in our fallen state. Sin is covered. New life and immortality are finally available. The gospel is truly good news. The mystery is now revealed. We shall all be changed, exchanging the corruptible for the incorruptible. He is the Victor who leads us in victory over death.

Since all of this is true we can be confident to join Paul in his mission—the work of the Lord—to gather the Israel of God from every tribe and tongue and kindred and people. Because our faith is not in vain, even so our labor is not in vain.