Not In Vain In The Lord



Not In Vain In The Lord
We must not measure by an earthly standard in testing the failure or success of life. There are lives which the world crowns as successful, but which Heaven rates as failures. Then there are others over which men drop a tear of pity, but which in God's sight are put down as noble successes. All earnest Christians do many things which they hope will prove blessings to others, which yet in the end seem to fail altogether of good result. But we do not know what good may yet come out of our true work that has appeared to fail. "Your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). It may not show any result at once, but somewhere, sometime, there will be blessing from everything that is done truly for Christ. The old water-wheel runs around and around outside the mill. It seems to be accomplishing nothing, but the shaft goes through the wall and turns machinery inside, making flour to feed the hunger of many or driving spindles and weaving beautiful fabrics. Our lives may seem, with all their activities, to be leaving no result, but they reach into the unseen; and who knows what blessings they become, what impressions they leave on other lives and in eternity?

Matthew 10:42 (also Mark 9:41): And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (KJV)
Hebrews 6:10: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (KJV)
Hebrews 11:36-38: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (KJV)
Revelation 22:12: And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (KJV)
1 Samuel 2:30: for them that honour me I will honour (KJV)


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