Paul provides a conclusion to his picture of the end times in the later parts of chapter 15 by calling the Corinthian church into action. He has gone to great lengths to demonstrate Christ’s victory over sin and death and the question is now, how are the believers supposed to respond to the hope they have in Christ? Paul calls them to be steadfast and immovable in their faith. This is to say they have all the assurance of faith they need to go back out into the world and make a difference for the gospel. He calls them to do the work of the Lord knowing that God is faithful and their labor will not be in vain.
So what is the work of the Lord? The work of the Lord is essentially anything we do as a response to the resurrection. That means that every small act of love, thankfulness, and kindness; every act of care and support; every prayer we offer; every deed we do that brings honor and glory to the name of Jesus is the work of the Lord. There is great freedom in such a call! May we be a people, a church, who do the work of the Lord knowing that our labor is not in vain.