Mark 9:38-40

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.” “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, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

It is interesting that Jesus said for whoever is not against us is for us. Sometimes to me it seems as if the whole world is against Jesus. I have noticed over the years that almost every ethnic group, every race that speaks English, uses the name "Jesus" as a swear word. They don't seem to use other supposed deity names in the same way, only Jesus. These people usually will claim that they are using Jesus' name as a cuss word because it is a perfunctory slip of the tongue, or it is a customary response to a difficult situation. However, I believe this slip of the tongue or customary response brings great joy to the devil, for he HATES JESUS because Christ's kingdom will ultimately destroy the devil's work and his wicked reign on Earth.

Christians sometimes become hypercritical about doctrine. We judge each other on whether one has the "right interpretation" of the scriptures; usually this means our interpretation of the scriptures. Well, in the above passage, Jesus is telling the disciples not to be overly concerned about such things. If people are not against us, they are for us. I am sure there are gradients in this logic. For instance if a person is using Jesus' name to exploit others or to aggrandize himself, that person needs to be exposed. But Jesus is still cautioning the disciples not to be so quick in their judgment of other followers of him. I have a difficult time with some ministers and their doctrines, especially the prosperity thinkers. But, I have to be careful about my criticism, for Jesus might be using them for his purpose. Paul said, even though some might be preaching the gospel to get back at me, to wound me, I will glory, for they are preaching the gospel of Christ. The name of Jesus is powerful, and his teachings are powerful, and when people sincerely come to him, believe in him, their lives will be changed regardless.

Now, the above scriptures warn us not to ostracize brethren because they do not quite believe as we do. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. We should pray for those we feel are doctrinally astray, but we should accept their cup of water if it is given in the spirit of Christ or in his name. Sometimes, we condemn too quickly, refuse dialogue too quickly, ostracize too quickly. If we are IN CHRIST, we have the truth inside us; therefore, all things should be measured by his spirit and the parameters of his Word. If someone tells you about worshipping angels but still believes in Christ as Savior and Lord, you can keep up your dialogue with that person without contamination by his or her doctrine if you know the WORD. You will find out quickly that the Word does not say anything about worshipping angels. However, if you are ignorant of the Word and follow your own wisdom or the rational of another person, you will fall into deep trouble immediately. Ungrounded Christians are the cults' harvest field. The cults will begin their conversation by claiming to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord, but they eventually switch to additions or deletions from his Lordship. They will basically say that you must believe in more than the Word teaches or you are lost. These people are not really giving you a cup of water IN JESUS' NAME, but they are giving you a different cup in the name of an errant doctrine, organization, or church. Their foundational beliefs do not rest on Jesus alone but on a myriad of other ideas and rules that contradict the truth. This is when fellowship has to be broken off, for they are leading you away from Christ and into a false religion--into deception, not into truth. On the other hand, whoever believes in Jesus Christ as the only Savior, without any other rules or additions, that person is your brother or sister whether he or she completely lines up with sound doctrines: for whoever is not against us is for us.