All Things for the Gospel

All Things for the Gospel

“Now this [all things] I do for the gospel’s sake that I may be partaker of it with you. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” 1 Cor. 9:23-24.

“All things for the gospel!” was Paul’s course in life. On this course he ran a wholehearted race and obtained the prize. The gospel meant everything to him. Whatever he thought, said, or did, was done in this spirit: all things for the gospel! We also must finish our course in the same spirit and with that same wholeheartedness if we want to obtain the prize.

Paul also says in Acts 20:24, “Nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Most people count their lives very dear to themselves; they think mostly about their own well-being. They think only about their personal gain; but in the end they suffer one great, enormous loss. This divine law stands firm: “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matt. 16:25.

Paul chose to live his life in such a way that he received the most possible gain from it, and we should also choose to live this way. He who seeks his own advantage in everything seeks it to his own hurt; but he who suffers loss in what he does will discover that it will turn out to his personal advantage. We shall live our lives in eternity, so we must live our lives here with eternity in mind.

“All things for the gospel!” doesn’t only pertain to the ministry of the Word and prayer, but the glory of the gospel itself is at stake in everything we say and do. We will receive abundant gain from our life if we always have the gospel before our eyes.

“All things for the gospel!” must be our life’s motto. This spirit must permeate our whole conduct and penetrate all of life’s situations, right down to the smallest detail. Let us run in such a way that we can obtain the prize.