Today is Wednesday, August 27th, 2008; Karen's Korner #1388
His disciple John came to Jesus and said,
"Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons.
And we told him not to.
After all, he isn't in our group."
But Jesus said,
"You shouldn't have done that!
For anyone who is not against you is for you."
~~ Luke 9:49,50
***
Commentary: The disciples were jealous. Nine of them together were unable to cast out a single demon, but when they saw a man who was not one of their group casting out demons, they told him to stop.
Our pride is hurt when someone else succeeds where we have failed but Jesus says there is no room for such jealousy in the spiritual warfare of His Kingdom. We do the same thing as the disciples today when we refuse to participate in worthy causes because:
1) they are not affiliated with our denomination;
2) they do not involve the kind of people with whom we feel most comfortable;
3) they don't do things the way we are used to;
4) our efforts won't receive enough recognition.
Correct theology is important, but it should never be an excuse to avoid helping those in need.
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