Topical Bible: The Gospel: Be Careful not to Hinder

◄ The Gospel: Be Careful not to Hinder ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Gospel, the "good news" of Jesus Christ, is central to Christian faith and practice. It is the message of salvation, redemption, and reconciliation with God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The imperative to share this message is accompanied by a caution: believers must be careful not to hinder the Gospel.

Scriptural Basis

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently emphasizes the importance of living in a manner that does not obstruct the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 9:12, Paul writes, "If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ." Here, Paul underscores the necessity of foregoing personal rights and privileges to ensure the Gospel is not impeded.

Similarly, in Galatians 2:5, Paul recounts his refusal to yield to false brothers, "We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you." This passage highlights the importance of maintaining the purity and truth of the Gospel message, resisting any distortion or compromise.

Practical Implications

Believers are called to live lives that reflect the transformative power of the Gospel. In Philippians 1:27, Paul exhorts, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." This call to integrity and consistency in behavior serves to enhance the credibility of the Gospel message.

Moreover, in 2 Corinthians 6:3, Paul states, "We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry." This verse emphasizes the responsibility of Christians to avoid actions or attitudes that could serve as stumbling blocks to others, potentially deterring them from embracing the Gospel.

Community and Witness

The communal aspect of the Christian faith also plays a crucial role in not hindering the Gospel. Jesus, in John 13:35, declares, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." The love and unity among believers serve as a powerful testimony to the world, drawing others to the Gospel rather than repelling them.

Furthermore, in Romans 14:13, Paul advises, "Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way." This instruction calls for sensitivity and consideration within the Christian community, ensuring that personal freedoms do not become a source of division or hindrance to others' faith.

Conclusion

The Gospel is a message of hope and salvation that must be communicated clearly and lived out authentically. Believers are entrusted with the responsibility to ensure that their actions, attitudes, and communal life do not obstruct the Gospel's reach and impact. Through humility, love, and integrity, Christians are called to be faithful stewards of the Gospel, allowing its transformative power to be evident to all.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 9:12
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity the Careful Walk of the Christian.
... of evils and obstacles, be wrested from the Gospel they have ... must, as Paul implies,
be wise and careful; we must ... we fail in this respect, it will not avail us ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twentieth sunday after trinity the.htm

Caution against Imprudent Zeal in Preaching the Gospel.
... missionaries have fallen, of offering the Gospel, under the ... of the Apostles; to imply
a careful circumspection in ... the pure from the alloyed; not to condemn ...
/.../section 183 caution against imprudent.htm

Mrs. Hsi's Gift
... family, whose existence Mrs. Hsi had been careful not to bring ... opened to the sound
of the Gospel; but funds ... initial expenses of the venture were not forthcoming ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter i mrs hsis gift.htm

Various Experiences in Gospel Work
... he was going to give us a big gospel dish at ... God's children should be very careful
not to urge his servants away ... He said his education did not help him to get ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xiv various experiences in.htm

John iii. 6
... Chrysostom, archbishop of constantinople, on the gospel according to st ... everywhere,
and that none can hinder its passing ... But if we be careful not to be loud in ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvi john iii 6.htm

Paul's Last Letter
... of Christ would seek in vain to hinder or destroy. ... the wrongdoer, but we must also
be careful not to lose ... Ministers of the gospel sometimes do great harm by ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 49 pauls last letter.htm

The Prayer of Faith is the Only Power in the Universe to which the ...
... The Gospel moves with slow and timid pace when the saints are not at their ... or thirtieth
century will not help our praying, but hinder if we are not careful. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter v the prayer of.htm

Church Union.
... The immediate effect was greatly to hinder the work ... We should be very careful not
to use any terms by ... they would be unnecessarily prejudiced against the Gospel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/viii church union.htm

Boniface, Apostle of the Germans.
... portion of mankind, and must be careful not to deny ... conflicts had still to be endured
for the Gospel. ... then, this spiritual brotherhood does not hinder me from ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/boniface apostle of the germans.htm

Introduction.
... More careful examination seems to place them later rather ... suggest that the three
first were not published long ... Matthew's Gospel was written at Pella during the ...
/.../burgon/the causes of the corruption of the traditional text/introduction.htm