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    In a section of scripture where Paul is discussing the rights and freedoms that we are entitled to as followers of Jesus Christ, after he has named certain rights that he could demand if he so desired, he says this: “But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:12, NIV). Eugene Peterson words it this way: “Others demand plenty from you in these ways. Don’t we who have never demanded deserve even more? But we’re not going to start demanding now what we’ve always had a perfect right to. Our decision all along has been to put up with anything rather than to get in the way or detract from the Message of Christ” (The Message).

    Paul’s purpose in stating what he could do if he wanted to and what he chose to restrain from, was to emphasize the reason for his choice. He did not want to do “anything” that might hinder the gospel. One of the themes of the letter to the Corinthian church is that we as members of the Body of Christ are to work for the good of the Body instead of only what is good for us. Paul would later state it this way, “Everything is permissible”—-but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—-but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of the others” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24, NIV).

    What difference would it make if we adopted the philosophy of doing nothing that might hinder the gospel?

    What difference would it make in our homes if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?

    What difference would it make in our schools if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?

We are to work for the good of the Body instead of only what is good for us.

    What difference would it make in our neighborhood if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?

    What difference would it make in our work place if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?

    What difference would it make in our recreation if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?

    What difference would it make in our relationships if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?

    What difference would it make in our marriages if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?

    What difference would it make in our relationship with our children if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?

    What difference would it make in our planning if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?

    What difference would it make in our attitude toward strangers if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?

    What difference would it make in our churches if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?

    If we could commit to doing nothing that might hinder the gospel more lives would be touched, more hearts would be changed, more souls would be drawn to the Lord, more growth would take place, and more would be won for the kingdom. All that could happen if we simply said, “I will do nothing that might hinder the gospel.”

    Let’s do it and see what happens!

    Enjoy sharing the gospel, Tom

© 2000, Tom Norvell. Used by permission. A Norvell Note is a weekly email message from Tom Norvell. Check it out!