Laboring in Vain

Paul suffered a lot at the hands of unbelieving heathens, but when I read his new testament epistles, it seems pretty clear to me that his most painful suffering was from those whom he labored over with great zeal.

He boldly preached the gospel both before the Jews and the Gentiles earnestly desiring to see them saved. And many times countless numbers of people came to know the Lord Jesus as their Savior at the hearing of his preaching. But in the case of the Galatian believers, he was afraid that he had labored in vain (Galatians 4:11).

The apostle was worried for their own souls because they had not continued in faith in Jesus Christ as they had begun. We know from reading the Scriptures that Paul clearly taught salvation is a gift from God. He clearly repeats, in several instances, salvation is a matter of God's grace received by faith alone. He committed his whole life to building up the church on the basis of a free salvation by faith in God's Son.

But now those who called themselves believers in Galatia are returning to their old ways of worshiping God, forsaking their faith, rejecting grace. 

"Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" (Galatians 4:8-9)

It was simply unbelievable for Paul to think that one who claimed life, liberty, and light in Christ would then want to turn again and enslave themselves to a religion of death, fear, and darkness. How could this be? Had all the work he accomplished and love he poured out on them been for naught?

Unfortunately, he was afraid so. His concern is very much like that of a parent for his children. As a parent you want the best for your children. You instruct them in love and prepare them to be successful in life. You spend countless hours working to provide for them so they will lack nothing and labor to pay for their education. But then imagine if your child threw all that away and chose to follow the life of a criminal. How would you feel? Would you think your labor as a parent had been in vain?

The fear of most pastors is that their labor is in vain. All the hard work they put into serving you, preparing you, loving you, and instructing you is for nothing if it is not believed, followed, obeyed. Sometimes wolves sneak into the church and steal away weak believers with deception and lies. Other times, believers simply do not practice what they are being taught, either because they ignore their pastor or do not believe.

Paul even goes on to address their fickle minds and hearts. At one time they were eager to receive him as if they had received Jesus Christ himself (cf. v. 14). But then something happened and he had become their enemy. 

"Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first... if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" (Galatians 4:13 & 15-16)

He says, "You loved me! Now you hate me? Oh what has happened to you foolish Galatians? Who has bewitched you?!"

And this is the painful dagger that cuts deeper than any weapon the heathen possess. Your pastor labors for you you. He loves you. He cares for you. He works endlessly, praying for you always, desiring to see you saved, urging you to live a life of faith, liberty, and light in Jesus Christ. What then has happened that you now hate him? Is it because he teaches you the truth?

This was the case of those believers in Galatia. What about you? Has your pastor labored over you in vain? Or is there a great fruitful work of faith in your life?

It is my desire to see you all saved by the wonderful grace of Jesus Christ and living a full life of faith in him.

With love for you all,

Jay Silvas