Morning Reading for July 18 Mark 9:38-41 Suggested further reading: Philippians 1:12-19 The man whom John saw was doing a good work, no doubt. He was warring on the same side as the apostles, beyond question. But this did not satisfy John. He did not work in the company of the apostles. He did not fight alongside them. And therefore John had forbidden him. But hear what the great Head of the church decides (vv. 3940). Here is a golden rule indeed, and one that human nature sorely needs and has too often forgotten. Men of all branches of Christs church are apt to think that no good can be done in the world except by their own party and denomination. They are so narrow-minded that they cannot conceive the possibility of working on any other pattern but that which they follow. They make an idol of their own peculiar ecclesiastical machinery and can see no merit in any other. They are like Joshua who wanted to forbid Eldad and Medad (Num. 11:28). To this intolerant spirit we owe some of the blackest pages of church history. Christians have repeatedly persecuted Christians for no better reason than that given here by John. Let us be on our guard against this feeling. It is only too near the surface of our hearts. Let us study to realize that liberal, tolerant spirit which Christ here commends and be thankful for good works wheresoever and by whomsoever done. Let us beware of the slightest inclination to stop and check others merely because they do not choose to adopt our plans and work by our sides. We Maythink that our fellow Christians are mistaken in some points. We May fancy that more would be done for Christ if they would join us and if all worked in the same way. But all this must not prevent us from rejoicing if the works of the devil are destroyed and souls are saved. Is our neighbour warring against Satan? Is he really trying to labour for Christ? This is the grand question. Better a thousand times that the work should be done by other hands than not done at all. Happy is he who knows something of the spirit of Moses (Num. 11:29) and Paul (Phil. 1:18). For meditation: How much of the `I, only I am left mentality is in you? Do you need reminding that the Lord has preserved for himself many others?
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 14:06:53 +0000
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