Whoever is not against us if for us?
One of my friends recently e-mailed me with the following question:
I have a question concerning Mark 9:38. The one casting out demons in the name of Christ in the mentioned text was not hindered in doing so. The question asked of me in Wed. night class was since he was not hindered, do we hinder those who are doing things in the name of Christ, but are in denominational error?
I wrote him back with the following response:
This is a question that is often asked by members of the church and is a passage that is sometimes used as a "proof text" by those who are trying to justify denominational error and push joint fellowship with religious groups that are in error. There are two passages in Jesus' life that must be harmonized. The first is Mark 9:38-40, where Jesus says "he who is not against us is for us" (parallel passage in Luke 9:50). The next is Matthew 12:30, where Jesus says, "He who is not with Me is against Me" (parallel passage in Luke 11:23). So which is it? In one place Jesus says those that are not "with" him are against him; in the next he says those who are not "against" him are with him.
It seems to me that these passages can be harmonized. First, if one is not "with" Jesus (following his teachings and instructions) he is in effect "against" the work Jesus is doing. But, secondly, if one is "not against" Jesus (not teaching things that are contrary to Jesus' teaching and instructions) he is "with" Jesus. One who teaches error is not "with" Jesus. To teach things contrary to Jesus' teaching, in effect, is being "against" Jesus. Although some religious teachers might do many good things and promote the name of Christ, if they are not teaching the entire counsel of God they are working "against" Jesus. The true test of whether or not one has a real relationship with Jesus is based on whether or not Jesus' instructions are followed (see 1 John 2:4).
The context of Mark 9:38 apparently is a man who was keeping Jesus' instructions but was not physically following Jesus like the apostles were. One did not have to physically follow Jesus footprints across Galilee to be following in the footsteps of Jesus' teaching (cf. 1 Peter 2:21). This man was doing the work of Jesus and should not be hindered from doing it. A modern application: if a group of people read the New Testament and follow all of its teachings and decide to call themselves "Assembly of Christ" or "The Way" (both biblical names: Ephesians 5:24 and Acts 24:14) they should not be forced to put "church of Christ" on their sign by anyone. If they are doing Christ's will and following his teaching, "he who is not against us is for us." However, if a group calls themselves "church of Christ" (or any other name) yet promotes doctrinal error, "He who is not with Me is against Me."
A similar situation is found in the writings of Paul. There were some teachers that were taking advantage of the fact that Paul was in prison for the cause of the gospel. Because of their dislike for Paul, these teachers were preaching even more vigorously attempting to add affliction to Paul's suffering (Philippians 1:15-18). Surely these men were preaching from wrong motives. Some preach from wrong motives today (pridefully trying to make a name for themselves, for big salaries, etc.). While these motives are wrong, if the truth is being promoted we should rejoice. Paul says, "whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice" (Phil. 1:18). The physical location of people, the choice of a different biblical name, or the motivations of people are immaterial to the greater cause as long as the total truth of Christ is being proclaimed.
It seems to me that these passages can be harmonized. First, if one is not "with" Jesus (following his teachings and instructions) he is in effect "against" the work Jesus is doing. But, secondly, if one is "not against" Jesus (not teaching things that are contrary to Jesus' teaching and instructions) he is "with" Jesus. One who teaches error is not "with" Jesus. To teach things contrary to Jesus' teaching, in effect, is being "against" Jesus. Although some religious teachers might do many good things and promote the name of Christ, if they are not teaching the entire counsel of God they are working "against" Jesus. The true test of whether or not one has a real relationship with Jesus is based on whether or not Jesus' instructions are followed (see 1 John 2:4).
The context of Mark 9:38 apparently is a man who was keeping Jesus' instructions but was not physically following Jesus like the apostles were. One did not have to physically follow Jesus footprints across Galilee to be following in the footsteps of Jesus' teaching (cf. 1 Peter 2:21). This man was doing the work of Jesus and should not be hindered from doing it. A modern application: if a group of people read the New Testament and follow all of its teachings and decide to call themselves "Assembly of Christ" or "The Way" (both biblical names: Ephesians 5:24 and Acts 24:14) they should not be forced to put "church of Christ" on their sign by anyone. If they are doing Christ's will and following his teaching, "he who is not against us is for us." However, if a group calls themselves "church of Christ" (or any other name) yet promotes doctrinal error, "He who is not with Me is against Me."
A similar situation is found in the writings of Paul. There were some teachers that were taking advantage of the fact that Paul was in prison for the cause of the gospel. Because of their dislike for Paul, these teachers were preaching even more vigorously attempting to add affliction to Paul's suffering (Philippians 1:15-18). Surely these men were preaching from wrong motives. Some preach from wrong motives today (pridefully trying to make a name for themselves, for big salaries, etc.). While these motives are wrong, if the truth is being promoted we should rejoice. Paul says, "whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice" (Phil. 1:18). The physical location of people, the choice of a different biblical name, or the motivations of people are immaterial to the greater cause as long as the total truth of Christ is being proclaimed.
Do you have any thoughts?
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