I have had several back surgeries, and each one has helped me. I went through the pain of surgery, but I always told myself it would be worth it when I recovered from surgery, and each time it was. However, this past spring I had knee surgery. I think that I rushed the timing too much, and should have waited a few days. I kept thinking, “It will all be worth it.” Then, a few weeks later, I went into the hospital because of a blood clot. In the course of this hospitalization, I missed Chris, my son’s first starring role in a play. To this day my knee is only slightly better and bothers me often. If I was to ever hear talk of doing knee surgery on me again, it would take a great deal of persuasion, and an assurance that it would indeed be worth it. We can endure a great many things if we are certain that it will be worth it in the end. This applies in many areas of life and is very true in our spiritual dealings.
In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul absolutely nailed down the fact that Jesus rose from the dead, and that all of us will be raised from the dead. Based on this, he assures all of us that serving God will be worth it, with these words: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (58). In this verse, he gives the key to this assurance:
Be Steadfast
Paul is very clear about the need to “keep on keeping on.” He stated it in these words, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Paul compared the Christian life to warfare and to a race (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Both of these are examples of activities that require the participant to not give up, but to keep on going. You cannot quit, you cannot turn back. You have to keep going if you are going to be successful in either one. The same is true in living the Christian life. Steadfastness implies staying on course. We must walk the narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7) without wavering and vacillation. If we do this, then, we can know that our labor is not vain (empty) in the Lord, and it will all be worth it.
Be Unmovable
The Psalmist compared the righteous man to a tree planted by the waters (Psalm 1). The tree that has its roots firmly planted and has been nourished so that it has remained alive and strong, will not be blown down by the winds that will sometimes come. Christians need to have their spiritual roots deeply rooted in the Word of God and in faith in Jesus Christ. We will not be moved by persecution, difficulties, false doctrine or doubt if we are solidly grounded. If we will remain unmovable we will find that the determination to never be moved, no matter what, will all be worth it.
Always Abounding
Being unmovable does not mean to sit still and not act. We must be unmovable in faith, doctrine and morality. Yet, we must be actively doing what needs to be done. We must look not just to get by in serving God, but rather to abound in that work. When we are steadfast and unmovable, we will be determined to serve God. Christianity is not a passive religion that happens to us, but rather it is a religion in which we must have an active part. Paul told the Corinthian church, “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour” (2 Corinthians 3:8). We must determine to do God’s work and to never give up in doing it.
Paul taught that all of the effort, all of the pain, all of the discouragement, all of the difficulties and all of the work will be worth it in the end. We are going to be victorious if we give ourselves to God. Then, the day will come when we shall be called out of the grave, we will meet Jesus in the air, and we will spend eternity resting with God (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). It will, after all, be worth it all. 
