Labor Day
Labor Day is celebrated in the United States of America to acknowledge and acclaim the work of its citizens; the hard and enduring work of men and woman to establish, advance, strengthen and protect our country. The virtue and value of work is demonstrated and proclaimed by God in His Word; work should be a healthy and rewarding part of life for those who love and follow Him.
Here are some thoughts about work from a Biblical perspective. Our work should reflect who He is and who we are in Him.
God Works
- Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
- Psalm 111:7-8 The works of His hands are verity and justice; All His precepts are sure. 8 They stand fast forever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness.
- God created and sustains everything. His works are true, just and good.
God Gave Us Work
- Genesis 2:15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.
- The Lord created a wonderful home for us and has entrusted us with its upkeep.
God Declares the Value of Working
- Proverbs 28:19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
- Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
- Work is both necessary and beneficial.
Work in Obedience to God's Will
Accomplishes His Purposes
- Genesis 6:14 Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch.
- God used Noah, an obedient servant, to save the human race from a worldwide flood.
- Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
- God uses followers of Jesus to share the good news about salvation in Christ to save the lost from an eternity in hell.
Show His Love to Those in Need
- Matthew 25:34-36 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
- Godly love can be seen in acts of kindness and compassion.
Brings Him Glory
- Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
- Our work should be done in such a way that it draws attention to our Lord, not to us.
Christians are to Motivate Each Other in Love and Good Works
- Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
- Brothers and sisters in Christ should encourage each other to use the gifts God has given us to do the work God has prepared for us.
We Can’t Work to Earn Forgiveness of Our Sins
- Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
- Romans 4:5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
- Forgiveness of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ is a gift from God to those who have faith in Him. Salvation in Christ is not earned, warranted or deserved.
We Were Saved from Sin to Do Good Works
- Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
- God saved us from our sins through Jesus so He can use us as part of accomplishing His plans.
Our Work for God is a
Labor of Love
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for the blessing of work and for equipping us to fulfill your calling to good works. May our work show our love for You and our love for others. Help us to see beyond obligation and guilt as motivations to do good works. Prepare our hearts and minds for the challenges of the work You have called us to do. Take away our pride and self-sufficiency and replace them with humility and complete dependence upon You. Thank You for allowing us to be a part of what You are doing. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.
