December 14 With Others

Luke 9:49-50 “Master,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” 50 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”
 
ONE reason many people ridicule the church is because there are so many denominations. Differences in understanding baptism, communion, salvation, worship and church government are a few reasons Jesus’ “one body” (Eph 4:4) has become multiple bodies.
   To some extent, that is good. There is a strength in like-minded people joining together in worship, study and ministry. In other ways, though, these many denominations are a detriment to God’s church. When Jesus was accused of ministering in Satan’s power he replied, “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.” (Luke 11:17) Certainly this standard is true of God’s Kingdom. Too many divisions weaken the whole as churches criticize, demean or reject each other.
   Yes, there are good reasons to reject some “churches”. Many do not preach the gospel. Many do not even teach the Bible but prefer to rely on cultural issues as discussion topics. “Sin” does not find its way into church language because we are fearful of offending someone (but not have no concerns of offending God).
   The apostle John’s concern here was that someone was doing God’s work apart from them. The “outsider” could have been one who was John the Baptist’s disciple. He might have heard and witnessed Jesus’ ministry. The Holy Spirit then gifted him to heal and exorcise demons. Perhaps the man was one of the 72 Jesus sent out as recorded in Luke 10. Although he was not personally with Jesus and the disciples after that ministry, the man was “with” the Lord through his Spirit-empowered works. You could say the empowered man was of Jesus’ “one body”.
   Jesus then encouraged John to let the man minister. Our Lord pointedly proclaimed there are two clear sides in the spiritual warfare. One is against God, or one is for God. Those against God cannot truly do the things of God. Those with God are empowered to do his will on earth.
   This is a good test to know if a (your) church is with God. God’s will is that the gospel is the center of the church. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper (communion) must be administered. Do people pray for the Spirit-led miracle of salvation for all who enter? Is the church engaged in Spirit-empowered evangelism and kingdom work? There is no middle ground in Jesus’ church. You are either for the entire Word of God, or you are not.
   Be discerning in your comments regarding other churches. Do not automatically “try to stop them” with demeaning, separating comments. Be willing to learn who they are. Understand their relationship with the Father, Son and Spirit. Keep in mind Jesus’ words “whoever is not against you is for you.” If you learn they are with Jesus, perhaps your church can join the other in ministry, unified and empowered as Jesus’ “one body.”
   The apostle Paul wrote of being one with God in Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit –  just as you were called to one hope when you were called – 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 
   Let’s consider ways we can drop denominational differences to be focused on Christ-like oneness. Be the church of Jesus Christ, not the church of our preferences, a theology or your location.
 
Prayer: Bring your true church to one body under your authority, Father. Heal our churches, Lord. May we be quick to speak unifying words to “love one another”. Amen.