work. We are simply being dis missed from competition in serv ing in the work of the Lord. Verse eight indicates that we are to receive this pay or these wages or these rewards according to our own labor. The word "labor" there is a word that is also translated "toil." In fact, more often than not it is found as "toil" or "weariness." Years ago I heard a very inspir ational speaker say, "When you begin to learn that work IS work, you are on your way to success." There is nothing pleasant or easy about diligent work. It may be en joyable from the sense that there is satisfaction in accomplishing a job, but there will be a weariness that comes if a person applies him self diligently and effectively. Divisions can melt away if we rec ognize that the people who plant or the people who water really are nothing because that soil will not produce, grow, unless God has placed it and ordained within that soil the capability of growth. And Paul has suggested also that even though we are united in Him that we are going to be evaluated for the kind of work that we do indi-
them out as fertilizer as a chemi cal fertilizer, still we are dealing with the elements that God has placed within this world. It is God who gives the increase assuredly in the spiritual realm as well as in the physical realm. Now notice in verse eight, "Now he that planteth and he that wat- ereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor." To complete this little illustra tion that Paul gives us, this agri cultural illustration on rectifying problems, he presents a tremen dous truth now. He says, "He that planteth and he that watereth are one." They are a unit. They are to gether in the body of Christ. But he says also, "And every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor." There are two things here that are crucial. There is unity in Christ, but there is di versity in evaluation. I think we need to keep these straight. There are some people who say, "Well, we are all just one big body." But then they say, "Let somebody else do it then. Let somebody else teach that class. Let somebody else find out how we are to resolve this problem." There is a unity in the body of Christ so that there ought not be individuals vying for place or position. But we must never overlook the fact that there is diversity in evaluation. There is the word that is used here for "reward." The word for "re ward" is a basic word for "pay" or wages." It is saying this, "Even though we are one in Christ, we are going to receive the pay or the wages or the reward for the things that we have done." So you see, we are not excused from toil or
Dr. Chase
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