Perishable But Not Perishing

By Dean Collins

Dried and canned goods have an expiration date. However, there is a safe period that the food is both edible and has some nutritional value. Refrigerated products like yogurt or milk are a different story. Either way, eventually everything this side of heaven is perishable. 

So it goes with us, as well. No one stamped a date your left shoulder or on my forehead that indicates the day our perishable bodies stop working, but all of history tells us that all of us are perishable. There is a definitive moment in our wel- documented history that changed everything. The entire fifteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians explains the power of the resurrection of Jesus. When Jesus came out of the tomb, he conquered sin and death for us. While we still live in perishable shells, we have assurance that we are moving to imperishable bodies and to immortality when we breathe our last breath. 

Paul challenges us to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Paul adds to these instructions in the last part of chapter 16, saying that we should watch for the Lord’s return while we stand firm. To stand firm on our foundation in Christ requires that we act with the maturity of men and women of faith, including that we do all our work and manage all our relationships with the love of Christ.

There is one more thing that is implied at the end of 1 Corinthians and explained in greater detail in 2 Corinthians: all our suffering while we live in our perishable bodies is also temporary. It is for a season. Every health issue, financial problem, relationship challenge, and anything else that we battle today has a shelf life. We may not know the date, but we know that just as we don’t take any material possessions with us when we die, we also don’t take any problems with us either.

When we place all of our confidence in Jesus, he will make it possible for us to abide in him and abound in the work God has given us. Paul tells us one thing that we might want to remind ourselves of every day as we do our work and navigate our challenges: “In the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Sometimes it might feel like our work is wasted. Sometimes situations might even suggest as much. But guided by the Holy Spirit, Paul has declared that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Our work is being used by God to accomplish things we may never know and one day rejoice about when we step into eternity with our imperishable bodies.

Father, help us today to trust in your promises, even when we face illness, stress, and what appear to be insurmountable challenges. Give us the wisdom and strength to be steadfast and unflinching in our confidence in you, so that you might be glorified and that your kingdom purposes will be accomplished in us and through us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
1 Corinthians 15:54-58, 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ESV

Photo by Ellie Ellien on Unsplash
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