On the Side of Jesus (Protestant/Evangelical Caucus&Devotional)

Ligonier.Org ^ | 7/15/2016

[Gamecock]

“Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us’ ” (vv. 39–40). - Mark 9:38–41

Arguments over who was the greatest, in which the disciples engaged on their way to Jerusalem (Mark 9:33–34), demonstrate that the disciples were focused on exclusivity in an unhealthy way during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Each of them wanted to be in the select category called “greatest,” which by definition excludes everyone except its one member. Each disciple wanted, in essence, to put a wall around himself with a sign that said, “Herein Stands the Greatest; No One Else Allowed.”

This exclusionary attitude on the individual level operated also on a larger group level, as indicated in today’s passage. Mark 9:38 records the Apostle John’s complaint that some people outside the band of disciples who constantly followed Jesus were performing exorcisms in Jesus’ name. Immediately, John’s protest showed that something was wrong with his understanding. The complaint was that the man “was not following us,” not that he “was not following You, Jesus.” John had a misplaced sense of priorities; his concern was that the man doing the exorcisms was not part of their little group, and he seemed to have cared little about the man’s actual relationship to Jesus.

In responding to John, Jesus said it was wrong for the disciples to try to stop the man, for his works showed that he was on the side of Jesus even if he was not one of the Twelve (vv. 39–40). Essentially, Jesus called John and the others to evaluate the man’s relationship to Christ not on the basis of the group to which he belonged but on the basis of the fruit of his ministry. The man was bearing good fruit, so he should not have been treated as being outside the kingdom.

This account demonstrates the error we make when we draw our boundaries in such a limited way that we exclude from God’s kingdom anyone who is not part of the particular group to which we belong. Christ’s kingdom is larger than one church or one denomination. Of course, this does not mean absolutely everyone who professes to follow Jesus is in fact one of His sheep. There are boundaries to be drawn; for example, Scripture tells us that those who do such things as deny the deity of Christ (John 8:24), add our works to our justification (Gal. 1:6–9; 5:4), or advocate living in ways contrary to God’s commandments (2 Peter 2) are not true Christians. But we must be careful to draw boundaries only on essential matters and be willing to work with those who truly belong to Christ even if they are not part of our particular group or congregation.

Coram Deo

Expositing Mark 9:38–41, Dr. R.C. Sproul cautions us in his commentary Mark to avoid the error of thinking all differences between Christians divide us in an essential way as well as the error of thinking that no division is important. We must work with other Christians without compromising the essential truths of the faith. Doing this takes great discernment, and we should be continually asking God to make us a discerning people.

Passages for Further Study

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Titus 3:4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

[Gamecock]

And this concludes this week’s readings.

I have been trying to get in the habit of posting a hymn on Fridays, here is today’s offering:

And Can it be

1. And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me who caused His pain!
For me who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be That
Thou, my God, should die for me?

Chorus: Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

2. He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

3. Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

4. No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own