1Thes 3:5
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. (KJV)
1 Cor 15:2
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (KJV)
Gal 4:11
I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. (KJV)
In what respect could the Apostle Paul's labor among these people be in vain?
Surely it would never be a vain thing to preach the Gospel.
For even if the hearers did not respond by accepting Christ as Saviour, the responsibility of the preacher is to preach, not to force conversion. the Word of God never goes forth in vain; for whether it result in souls being saved, or in the lost being warned, it does accomplish its purpose.
Neither is it a vain thing to lead souls to Christ.
The Bible is clear that nothing can separate the Christian from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
But the preacher does have a legitimate "fear" that after having preached and trained and taught a congregation of God's people the word of God that they would not use what they have learned for God's glory.
No wonder Paul says he could no longer forbear! His experience had been that the tempter would be after his converts quickly after their conversion. He knew that the world, the flesh and the devil would do their best to lure the believers away from an effective active life of seeking the Lord.
Paul had seen too many slip away, having loved the things of this world to not be concerned for those he had poured so much of his ministry into.
We cannot lose our salvation, but we can become useless to the cause of Jesus Christ.
Lord, forbid it among us!
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. (KJV)
1 Cor 15:2
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (KJV)
Gal 4:11
I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. (KJV)
In what respect could the Apostle Paul's labor among these people be in vain?
Surely it would never be a vain thing to preach the Gospel.
For even if the hearers did not respond by accepting Christ as Saviour, the responsibility of the preacher is to preach, not to force conversion. the Word of God never goes forth in vain; for whether it result in souls being saved, or in the lost being warned, it does accomplish its purpose.
Neither is it a vain thing to lead souls to Christ.
The Bible is clear that nothing can separate the Christian from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
But the preacher does have a legitimate "fear" that after having preached and trained and taught a congregation of God's people the word of God that they would not use what they have learned for God's glory.
No wonder Paul says he could no longer forbear! His experience had been that the tempter would be after his converts quickly after their conversion. He knew that the world, the flesh and the devil would do their best to lure the believers away from an effective active life of seeking the Lord.
Paul had seen too many slip away, having loved the things of this world to not be concerned for those he had poured so much of his ministry into.
We cannot lose our salvation, but we can become useless to the cause of Jesus Christ.
Lord, forbid it among us!
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