True labor
Romans 16:6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #211 Master, No Offering Costly and Sweet (#346 in previous version)
Wherever Rome conquered, it created a temple to Zeus and it conquered the entire world. The people who went to evangelize Rome are mentioned in Romans 16 and among them was someone named Mary. Paul saw Mary and said that she worked very hard. What kind of work did she do for Rome evangelization?
1. Labor for the Gospel
If you decide to do things for the Gospel, it is an incredible thing. If it’s for the Gospel, without even knowing it, it becomes a great blessing. Jethro took Moses who came out of Egypt as his son-in-law. This was an eternal blessing that changed the world. Rahab, who hid Israel’s spies, received salvation in the midst of destruction. The act of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea in burying Jesus’ body is a story that remains with us. Although they did these things without knowing, they received blessings. If they were aware of this fact, they would have had the blessing of restoring the Gospel.
2. Labor to fight the spiritual battle
True labor is not when you fight human battles, but spiritual battles. Satan, who is God’s enemy, attacks your family and the society and culture. Abraham was someone who was able to come out of this. God gave Abraham the greatest blessings to fight the spiritual battle. If you aren’t aware of the spiritual battle, because of one shaman, it is as if one entire village is covered in darkness (Acts 13), and fortunetellers and idols will cause people to become entangled (Acts 16, 19). We must understand the labor required to fight the spiritual battle.
3. It is a labor for the future generations.
Labor on behalf of the future and the future generations is truly worthwhile. Jesus said not to weep for Him but to weep for themselves and their children (Luke 23:28). The Jews said that Jesus’ blood would be upon them and their children when they crucified Jesus (Matthew 27:25). Under no circumstances should this terrible curse be transferred to your children. This kind of labor is true labor. That is why in Romans 16, they entered the synagogue to save their future generations. And that is why we have the RUTC movement. This labor is the most worthwhile labor.
- Within the church, members exert many kinds of labor. True labor is not the kind that makes oneself visible but it is when God’s plan manifests itself. Meditate on the kind of labor you are involved in.
Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 2nd Service / 2010.8. 8