“Master,” said John, “we saw someone 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.” Luke 9.49-50
It’s easy to believe this world is against us. The opposition from culture, the anti-biblical ideals being promoted at every turn, it’s easy to be discouraged. I find myself battling this as I’m watching a TV show, for example, and out-of-the-blue another stab at non-biblical marriage is introduced by a main character. It appears that every large corporation is afraid of the LGBTQ movement that they are giving into the liberal “woke” system of non-biblical beliefs.
And whereas I don’t want to make this blog post political, at some point, I have to stand clearly for Biblical values. Many people say preach the Bible with one hand on God’s Word and a Newspaper in the other. However, what happens when the news is so anti-orthodox, ant-Christ, anti-biblical tradition that it does more harm than good? I stand with traditional biblical values and find it discouraging when the world continues it’s deep decline towards secularism.
Which brings me to the passage for the day. The disciples were doing something that we forget to do — driving out demons. Our world identifies all unusual behavior as clinical, scientific and medical, but I believe there’s a deep spiritual component. Behind much of our irrational, radical and violent behavior is a dark demonic presence.
The disciples saw someone driving out demons (this was common place for them) in the name of Jesus but the person wasn’t a disciple. He wasn’t a part of the “in crowd.” So the disciples tried to stop this person. But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” Whoever is not against you is for you. Interesting thought.
There is power in the name of Jesus. Period. Power to command, to heal, to save and to drive out the evil in the world around us. People are not innately evil, they are created in God’s image, but what they do is evil. The cultural obsession with anything against the Bible and God’s Holy Word isn’t just human nature it’s our sin nature, it stems from the evil in this world, from the demonic presence filtering into the hearts and souls of humanity. And, of course, too people saying yes to that evil.
We must remember that we are not alone. God is with us. Those who call upon the name of Jesus, even if they don’t yet know Jesus, are not against the cause. How can anyone proclaim “Jesus is Lord,” without the Spirit of God? 1 Corinthians 12.3 says, “Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.”
And again Paul writes, ”Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4.16-18.
I don’t know about you but my hope is in Christ. I believe in His Word and live by His grace. Even though the world may seem dark, the Kingdom of God is among us. Let us look for Christ, speak about him and promote him to everyone we meet and everything we do. For if Christ is for us, who can be against us?
“O Lord God, you are so good. I thank you for loving me. Even when I am under attack, when I am tired of fighting, I turn to praise. I turn my hope to you, fixing my eyes on Jesus, trusting in the Spirit to guide me. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power and love. Help me be all that you have called and created me to be. By your grace and for your glory. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen