For or Against

 DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE

FOR OR AGAINST

Luke 9:49-50

49 "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." 

NIV

Why did the disciples think they were the only ones who could use the authority of the name of Jesus? Was it because they were the ones that he chose, that he called them from their present work to follow him? Did they not know that Jesus came to save those who were lost and that all men were called to follow him? Of course, not everyone does follow Jesus, some have turned their backs on him and have gone their own way, fulfilling their own fleshly desires. Yes, God loved the world, not just a few, but the world that he gave his Son so that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have an everlasting life. So then others chose to follow Jesus and to do that which Jesus did, one being driving out demons. This man had been driving out demons in the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus has power over the dark forces of evil. Because this man was driving out demons in the name of Jesus he was among one of those who were for the disciples, not against them, as the Pharisees were. This gives us the clue that all believers are working toward the same goal. We are all working for each other, serving each other, being one with each other, as we are one with Jesus and we all have the same Spirit dwelling within us. We are not just thinking about the local church in one denomination, which sometimes it seems we think we have the right interpretation of scripture and some others have gone astray, and therefore they are not for us and we are not for them. However, we believe that kind of thinking is in error. It is the world that is against us, not other believers. Therefore, it does not matter what group we belong to as the disciple thought. What matters is that someone believes in the name of Jesus. Now, on the other hand, if that is all someone believes, as we have heard some say, that everything must be done only in the name of Jesus, which includes baptism. We cannot forget the Father, Holy Spirit, and Jesus are included in the three in one, and each the Father, the Spirit, and the Son are God. However, to do miracles, drive out demons, and heal those in need, it is the name of Jesus who has all authority. Whoever believes in Jesus and calls upon His name can do that which He did, and is for us and we are for them.