Laboring in Vain

By David J. Stewart

Philippians 2:16, “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

       Nearly all religious work done today is in vain because it does not hold forth the WORD OF TRUTH as God commands. The Bible is the Word of Truth. John 17:17, “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” If the truth of God's Word is not being preached, then all work is done in vain. God will not reward anyone for labor done that doesn't center around the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many people have a sincere desire to help the misfortunate, but there is no concern for where their soul will spend eternity. The biggest lie of the Devil is that we are all God's children. Scripturally, no Christ-rejecter will ever step instead Heaven's gates. In fact, the Bible teaches that all Christ-rejecters will be punished in the flaming fires of Hell forever. 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

It is tragic that so many people work tirelessly in vain. Their labors will amount to nothing 100-years from now. There are millions of people in this world who are committed to an empty cause, who spend their lives on things that are worldly and shallow, having no regard for the truth. God's Word is truth.

This is why I defend the integrity of the trustworthy King James Bible. All modern Bibles are corrupt. The New International Version (NIV) removes the name above every other name, Jesus, in 38 places! Philippians 2:9-10, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” Why would anyone use such an obvious degradation of the Scriptures that repeatedly removes the name of our precious Savior?

The Word of God is the Word of Life. The gospel is not merely the most important part of what we do, it is absolutely essential and mandatory! The good news of Christ crucified and risen for our sins is not only the greatest message in history, it is the only way anyone will ever get to Heaven. Ye must be born again. John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The only labor which God will reward is labor centered around holding forth the Word of Life, i.e., the saving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Most religious work done today is done in the flesh and is completely void of the gospel. There are thousands of charities that help the poor, but have absolutely no concern over the souls of men. The gospel means nothing to them. If they teach a religious message at all, it is unbiblical and a false gospel.

Are you laboring in vain? The only thing that we can take with us into eternity are the souls saved, lives changed and our labours for the King of kings. If the good news of Jesus Christ is not preached, you will receive no reward. Philippians 2:16 speaks very plainly that if the Word of Life is not upheld, then all labor is for nothing. You will have run the course in vain.

Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” There will be millions of people on Judgment Day, who labored tirelessly throughout their earthly life, who will receive no reward from the Lord, and most of them will be cast into the Lake of Fire as religious Christ-rejecters.

In Philippians 2:16 the Apostle Paul, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, said that all our labors will be in vain if we fail to hold forth the WORD OF LIFE. May all of our labors center around the preaching of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, that we may receive a full-reward as Christians at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Souls Are Dying!


Ye Must Be Born Again! | You Need HIS Righteousness!