Not in vain
"But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God.” (Isaiah 49:4)
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
September 3, 2025
Dear friends,
If you are a Christian in America today you are frequently being reminded that Christianity, especially Evangelicalism, is losing ground. We don't have the numbers, the stature, or the public influence we once had. Surely, some of this unpopularity is deserved. Some of it is due to the spiritual decay of our culture in general. Whichever it is, we're aware that fewer numbers today respect the church or hold biblical values anymore. There were times in the pastorate that I saw people, people who had been taught, loved, and cared for, say "no thanks" and walk out the door to go their own way. It can be, and was, disheartening. It felt like your efforts in ministry were ultimately in vain.
The verse above from Isaiah 49, the second of the Servant Songs, reveals to us that the Messiah would see discouragement, and be tempted to say, "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity." (49:4) After three years of intensive travel and ministry and teaching, Jesus saw a lot of fickle crowds, argumentative opponents, and disciples who were slow to catch on. At the end of his ministry, everyone scatters, Peter denies him, and the national rulers, both Jewish and Roman, step up to humiliate and execute him.
Jesus had every reason to be discouraged. He had every human reason to think that all his work was in vain. On the night before his trial, even as the “dogs were circling” (Ps 22:16), he was praying. But his disciples slept.
What did the Father say to him? He said, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” (Isaiah 49:6-7)
What appeared to be the end of his messianic labor would be the beginning of a global transformation. Christ's labor would bring about the redemption of many multitudes, as well as the restoration of all creation. The reign of evil would come to an end. Yet, on that night in the garden of Gethsemane, nobody would have believed it. Yet, as it turns out, Jesus is the right side of history.
The church has many problems. And some local churches and Christian movements will likely pass away. But Christ's work is never in vain, nor will it ever be unfruitful. Through the labor of his disciples, the work goes on, though at times it may seem in vain.
Jesus said, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) His church will prevail, and the whole earth will one day be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. It is never in vain to work for his glory.
If you are a Christian and involved in serving the Lord, here is what the Apostle Paul says: "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
FINAL QUOTE.
"What Scripture says, therefore, God says. That is the correlation that Scripture itself makes repeatedly. And what God says is the exact reflection of what is there, whether this is in his own character, plans, and intentions, or in the world, in the human heart, and in our human future." (David Wells, The Courage to Be Protestant)
That’s all for this week!
Sandy
Afterwords is an occasional newsletter on topics of interest to me (Sandy Young) since my retirement from full-time pastoral ministry. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.