Be One in Christ

Mark 9:38-40 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.” 
 
JOHN spoke for the disciples. Why did they attempt to stop the man who was doing God’s work? Were they jealous? Were they concerned this man was Jesus’ rival?
   Yes, they could have been concerned about the man’s motives. But Jesus points out that this man cannot oppose him as he heals in Jesus’ name. Jesus has been calling his disciples to the kind of faith the man exhibits. He tells them to celebrate the man who is demonstrating kingdom truth. Because he does so, he is “one of us”. People who work together in the King’s name will strengthen the kingdom.
   John’s question reveals two common obstacles that block kingdom progress. John had heard Jesus warn against false teaching, so he questioned this man’s motives. There were many in Israel who had preached about the kingdom. Most of them were false prophets. One reason the Pharisees were suspicious of Jesus’ motives is the regular appearance of self-proclaimed Messiahs and prophets of God. Sometimes what seemed to come from God was demonic opposition to him. There is an example of this in the early church: Acts 16:16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.  
   Wasn’t it good she told about Paul’s gospel ministry? It was to a point. But she became such a constant noise Paul could not do his work. In Satan’s temptation of Jesus in the desert, the Bible reveals demonic opposition can disguise itself with Bible words and half-truths. We must be alert.
   Years later John, the experienced apostle, warned against false teachers in 2 John 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
   Jealousy also blocks kingdom work. Were the disciples envious of the man’s gift? The Lord urges us to remember that anyone who is doing his work is for his kingdom. When God’s gifted people live into their purpose, we can rejoice in their success. Be cautious of criticizing other ministries. They may not look the same as the ministry you know. God empowers faithful people with many gifts. Look to other Christians as “one of us”. Rejoice in their work.