Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
~1 Corinthians 15:58
In 1979 Ford first used their catchy slogan, “Built Ford Tough.” I’ve been the proud owner of Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, and Toyota trucks. All have run great but Ford seems to be picked on the most by Ford haters.
Here are some of my favorite Ford acronyms. Found on rubbish dumps. Fix or repair daily. Fails on rainy days. Fails on race day. Found on road-side—dead. Failure of research and development. Found on road deserted. Factory ordered road disaster. Factory ordered rebuilt Datsun. Flip over read directions. Four old rusted doors. Ford owners really dumb. Ford owners recommend Dodge. For off-road death. Fat old rusted dog. Forget out running Dodges. First on recycle day. Fast only running downhill!
I love that last one!
But men are made Lord tough. We’re made to take the brunt force of leadership. We’re made to thrive in the pressure of the Stress Bubble. Our bodies are made to carry the heavy weight of manhood.
Build Lord tough means three things from today’s passage.
First, the Lord tough man is steadfast—he stands firm. He draws a line in the sand of his faith and will not compromise what he believes. He’s a man who protects his integrity, even at the cost of personal gain.
Second, he is immovable. Once the line is drawn, he digs his feet in and will not move. I’m saddened by how easily swayed men are, spiritually. We’ve allowed too much gray into a once black and white moral code. We’ve embraced New testament grace (God’s riches at Christ’s expense) to the degree that we’ve forgotten Old Testament Wrath (Wreaking righteous anger towards humanity).
We’ve dug our feet into the shifting sand instead of the solid Rock.
We’ve dug our feet into the shifting sand instead of the solid Rock.
Lastly, he’s always at work for the Lord. My friend Phil recently rebuked me when I called him a businessman; “I’m not a businessman. I’m a minister of the gospel who makes his money in business.”
He understands who his boss truly and always is. Do you? How can you be Lord tough today?
He understands who his boss truly and always is. Do you? How can you be Lord tough today?
