On our part

Mark 9:40

For he that is not against us is on our part.

What a valuable lesson the disciples learned that day! And what a valuable lesson we, if we are listening, may learn this day! Here, John the Apostle informs our Lord that he saw someone casting out devils in the name of Christ, and he forbad him. He told him to stop doing what he was doing. Now why did he forbid him? He forbad him from doing it because he “followeth not us.” They must not be on our team, because they are not following us! They are not with us! They’re doing their own thing! They are not doing it right! We’re the ones with the truth here; therefore, they must come to us first and be part of us! Some of these words I have used liberally to add to the conversation, but I believe I am not outside the tenor of what John was saying. In short, he was saying, if you are not in our group as we follow the Lord, you don’t know what you are doing, and therefore do not have the power to cast out devils. Does this sound familiar?

Oh, does it ever sound familiar! How there are many a Christian today who has this same attitude. And multiple of us may also have been inflicted with the attitude. We say that others must not be right because they are not going to a certain church, reading a certain translation, or holding to certain views. Please understand that this writer is not disregarding or eliminating the importance of such things. But we must understand what Jesus is teaching us here. He says in effect, “Do you see others that are not of this group doing miracles in my name? Do not forbid them because they could not do this if they were against us.” And then comes our verse: “For he that is not against us is on our part.” On our part! Stop thinking you are better or that others don’t have the truth! Stop thinking that you have a monopoly on what is true and righteous and holy! They are on our part! Don’t stand against them! They are working in My name! They are on our part!

Oh, my beloved, let us see here what the Lord is saying. If someone teaches against the Word of God and the doctrine of Christ, they are not on our part, but they are antichrist. But if a person is being used by the Lord, sincerely following Him, and seeking His ways, then they are on our part. We must not confine and sequester everything good to those who agree with us. Oh, Lord in Heaven, please help us! We must not think this way! The body of Christ is wider and bigger and greater than any of us could ever have imagined! The people of God and the brethren in Christ cross over countries, boundaries, denominations, and beliefs. They are on our part! Don’t stand against them! Christ doesn’t, and why should we?

“Now, Heavenly Father, we know that there are teachings of utter and great importance in Your Word. And we are commanded to teach others whatsoever we have been commanded. But help us to have the shrewdness and wisdom and understanding to discern the difference here. If someone else is working for You, and serving You, help us not to stand against them. Help us to know that we are together. They are on our part! And we are all on Your side. Help us not to have sides within Your army. We are all together doing battle against our enemy. Let us lay aside all differences that we can lay aside, and as You commanded us, have peace one with another. And we shall praise You for this. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”