Today’s Reading (January 9th): Genesis 23, 24; Luke 9
Luke 9:49-50 (NASB): 49 John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.”
The disciples were part of Jesus’ inner circle. As his closest followers, they naturally felt they were the only ones who should have the authority and power to cast out demons, or for that matter to do any miracle. With this in mind, they immediately set out to put a stop to anyone outside their circle that used Jesus’ name for this reason. Interestingly, Jesus rebukes them and tells them THEY are the ones who are incorrect!
As Christ-followers, it is so easy to get caught up in our own spiritual community and/or evangelical denomination. We begin to feel part of an exclusive “club” and anyone who does not agree exactly with our particular view is simply wrong. Unfortunately, you will find this attitude across many of the denominations and in many non-denominational circles. Each group looks skeptically at the other and anyone who is not in their “group” is viewed with varying degrees of suspicion.
I grew up in a non-denominational church. As a child, I can recall several times where the minister would say from the pulpit that our particular way of worship and scripture interpretation wasn’t like those “denominations” and we should rejoice in that. This seemed to imply that somehow our particular church/group had obtained the only true/right way to know and worship God. As an adult, I look back on those days and just shake my head with dismay at the spiritually condescending attitude that minister was encouraging in our congregation. I’ve been a Christ-follower now for over 30 years and through this journey have been part of several different denominational churches and non-denominational churches. I’ve seen the gamut of worship styles and doctrinal differences. I’ve also met many wonderful devoted Christ-followers in each denomination. And, I’ve met those who had the same attitude as that minister years ago. To everyone with that attitude, I’ve wanted to ask: If we are true followers of Christ, aren’t we all playing on the same team? And if so, what’s up with your attitude?
The goal of every Christ-follower, regardless of denomination, should be to have a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to share His truth with as many as possible so they too can come to know Him. True Christ-followers should embrace the fact that everyone who has accepted the precious gift of Jesus into their life is playing on the same team! We’re now all part of ONE body of Christ. We’re all pressing toward the same goal – to love and serve Christ with all our hearts. One day, we will kneel and worship before our incredible God together…and there won’t be one denominational line in sight. Just as Jesus instructed His disciples not to stop that person from using His name, this too applies to us; “for he who is not against you is for you.”
God, it's only through You that we can look past denominational differences, our own preferences, and embrace other Christ-followers as our fellow teammates and laborers on this journey. Help us to work together as one true body to share the Gospel with everyone who does not know You.
Luke 9:49-50 (NASB): 49 John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.”
The disciples were part of Jesus’ inner circle. As his closest followers, they naturally felt they were the only ones who should have the authority and power to cast out demons, or for that matter to do any miracle. With this in mind, they immediately set out to put a stop to anyone outside their circle that used Jesus’ name for this reason. Interestingly, Jesus rebukes them and tells them THEY are the ones who are incorrect!
As Christ-followers, it is so easy to get caught up in our own spiritual community and/or evangelical denomination. We begin to feel part of an exclusive “club” and anyone who does not agree exactly with our particular view is simply wrong. Unfortunately, you will find this attitude across many of the denominations and in many non-denominational circles. Each group looks skeptically at the other and anyone who is not in their “group” is viewed with varying degrees of suspicion.
I grew up in a non-denominational church. As a child, I can recall several times where the minister would say from the pulpit that our particular way of worship and scripture interpretation wasn’t like those “denominations” and we should rejoice in that. This seemed to imply that somehow our particular church/group had obtained the only true/right way to know and worship God. As an adult, I look back on those days and just shake my head with dismay at the spiritually condescending attitude that minister was encouraging in our congregation. I’ve been a Christ-follower now for over 30 years and through this journey have been part of several different denominational churches and non-denominational churches. I’ve seen the gamut of worship styles and doctrinal differences. I’ve also met many wonderful devoted Christ-followers in each denomination. And, I’ve met those who had the same attitude as that minister years ago. To everyone with that attitude, I’ve wanted to ask: If we are true followers of Christ, aren’t we all playing on the same team? And if so, what’s up with your attitude?
The goal of every Christ-follower, regardless of denomination, should be to have a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to share His truth with as many as possible so they too can come to know Him. True Christ-followers should embrace the fact that everyone who has accepted the precious gift of Jesus into their life is playing on the same team! We’re now all part of ONE body of Christ. We’re all pressing toward the same goal – to love and serve Christ with all our hearts. One day, we will kneel and worship before our incredible God together…and there won’t be one denominational line in sight. Just as Jesus instructed His disciples not to stop that person from using His name, this too applies to us; “for he who is not against you is for you.”
God, it's only through You that we can look past denominational differences, our own preferences, and embrace other Christ-followers as our fellow teammates and laborers on this journey. Help us to work together as one true body to share the Gospel with everyone who does not know You.
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