DEVOTION – DAY 415

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Faithful To The End”

1 Corinthians 15:58 “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.”

Because of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, we serve a risen Lord. At the same time, we are also resurrected to a new life in Christ. We know that serving the Lord Jesus is not a useless and empty activity. 1 Corinthians 15:58 reminds us that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. All our services to Jesus Christ are invested in His winning purposes. The Bible also promises that when Jesus Christ return some day to rule and to reign, He will reward all who have been faithful in serving Him. Thus, no matter how difficult we may find serving Him at times, we are to stand firm and keep on doing what He has called us to do. We are to give ourselves fully to His work because it is worthy and has eternal value. 

Liang Gongfa or Liang Fa (his shortened name) was born 1789 in Guangdong. He came from a poor family and he learned printing skills as a trade, including carving printing blocks. In 1811, he was asked to assist a missionary, Robert Morrison, who needed someone to help him publish a Chinese translation of the New Testament. Liang agreed to assist in carving the printing blocks. In the process, Liang read the gospels and became a Christian and was converted in 1814. 

Liang became active in printing and distributing Christian gospel tracts and books. Liang faced opposition. The police arrested him and burnt the gospel tracts and printing blocks used for publishing. He was beaten 30 times with a bamboo cane and fined. But he remained faithful and firm in his work for the Lord. On his release, he continued in his mission work. He was appointed a lay evangelist for the London Missionary Society. He became the first ordained Chinese pastor in 1827. He preached in many districts in Guangdong and wrote his own Christian tracts. He printed about 70,000 tracts a year and distributed them far and wide. He also took the gospel to Malacca and Macao. He also became the chaplain for a missionary hospital in Guangzhou leading many ill patients to their salvation in Jesus Christ. He persevered in his work for the Lord till he passed away in 1855. He did not labor in vain.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the great privilege to serve you. Please help us to remain firm in our labors for you regardless of the challenges and costs because it has eternal value. We pray this in the holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. Why is it important for Christians to remain firm in their work for the Lord in the face of oppositions? Discuss.
  2. What are some kinds of opposition you may face today in your work for the Lord?
  3. How can you persevere in your work for the Lord despite opposition?
  4. What are some benefits that you receive as a result of your work for the Lord?