To Be or Not to Be, that is the Question: The Three Bees, Part Three.

The third BEE in this brief study on 1Corinthians 15:58 is to Be always abounding. The idea of the word ‘abounding’ is something that is over and above. One example of how this word is translated comes from Luke 9:17 following the feeding of the 5000 men (the number did not include women and children as far as I know). “And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.” The ESV translates the word abounding as ‘left over’. JESUS provided above and beyond the needs of the people. HIS provision was abounding. Again, the word is used in Matthew 25:29a, “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance.” As usual, GOD does HIS part perfectly. Romans 15:13 tells us that we have the ability to abound in hope, “May the GOD of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT you may abound in hope.” This ability comes from the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. But, if you notice from this verse, there is a key element, BELIEVING. That’s on us. HE provides in abundance. We abundantly believe. What are we to abound in according to 1Corinthians 15:58? The Work of THE LORD! One work is mentioned in 2Corinthians 8:7 “But as you excel (abound) in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel (abound) in this act of grace also.” This ‘Act of Grace’ was to join in the relief efforts for the famine-stricken church in Jerusalem. The Work of the LORD covers a lot of territory from Spiritual to Physical. Why do we need to abound in the Work of the LORD? So, the message of the Gospel can be delivered from honest, caring, and loving hearts, (not out of constraint). This is from us who know the LORD’S abundance and love HIM for that glorious abundance. “They don’t care how much we know, until they know how much we care.”

Russell Ashby