FOR OR AGAINST CHRIST?

Luke 9:49-50 John said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons. We tried to stop him because he isn’t in our group.”  But Jesus said, “Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you.”  NLT

      We can be very fickle in our thinking sometimes.  We somehow get the idea that we are the only ones that get it right.  We want others to do things our way.  We want others to know that we know what we are doing.  We want to think that if others are not on the same page we are on that they are on the outside looking in.

      Jesus makes it clear that we are not all the same.  We don't all do things the same way.  We don't have to belong to a particular church or group in order to serve the Lord.  God blesses the ministries of all who are rooted in Him.  What matters is not how we go about serving the Lord.  We serve Him the best way we can in the best way we know how.  There is no one way to effectively serve the Him.

      We should embrace all who are genuinely ministering in Jesus' name.  If we don't think that what they are doing is right, let the Lord handle it.  If Jesus is receiving the honor and glory, rejoice in what others are doing.  It should never be about us or our particular church family.  As long as Christ is being lifted up, we are on the same team and what is being done is good. 

       Do not discourage anyone who is genuinely serving the Lord.  Encourage them and don't undermine their work.  Support them with love and in your prayers.  Don't envy their work for the Kingdom.  Don't hinder them in any way.  Give God the praise and glory for all that is being done in Jesus' name to reach the lost for Him.

         The Lord puts us all to work where we fit best.  We do what He has given and gifted us to do.  We cannot do some things others can do and vice versa.  Rejoice for what is being done in Jesus’ name to redeem souls, no matter who it is or how it’s being done.