“If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.” -1 Corinthians 9:12
This could be the greatest challenge for Christians in this present age of radical autonomy, independence, preference, comfort, and self-concern! Will we endure ANYTHING rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ? Do we love the lost more than we love ourselves? Paul certainly did!
To really answer these questions, we need to recognize how many obstacles we can inadvertently put in the way of the gospel. Things we don’t think about, things we think “everyone” knows or does, things we know to be our right to do our way. They certainly are our right, but in Christ, we have the strength to forgo our rights for the sake of lost souls! Let that soak in…
We must learn to think outside ourselves, our preferences, our traditions, our experiences and consider things from the viewpoint of unbelievers of different faiths (or no faith), cultures, ethnicities, ages, and experiences. We must recognize where many of the things we prefer or enjoy in our Christian life can actually prevent people from really listening with an open mind and believing the Gospel.
Anything that isn’t biblically mandated, we must be willing to set down for the sake of the salvation of those currently facing an eternity apart from God. Our love for those currently under God’s wrath must be greater than our love for having our way. As much as we might like our patterns, habits, preferences, politics, and traditions, if they aren’t mandated by the Bible, we should be willing to be quiet about them for the sake of saving others.
Take time to reflect on things in your daily life, your character, or your practice of your faith that discourage people from believing in Jesus. Can you endure changing those rather than putting an obstacle in the way of the gospel?