Before he believed in the love of Christ, John the disciple was narrow-minded, zealous, proud, and envious. He was annoyed because one of those who were interested in Christ could cast, in his name, unclean spirits out of the demon-possessed. John was angry because this believer was not one of the near attendants accompanying Christ. This man recognized that no power in heaven or on earth was greater than the name of Christ in whom all the power of heaven worked.
This truth guides us not to build our life on our cleverness, ability, skillfulness, gifts, experiences, or esteem in church or in society, but to build ourselves on the Lord Jesus alone, for he is the powerful, triumphant Victor, and your faith makes you a partner in his triumph. Did you recognize the power of Jesus’ name? Did you experience his deep salvation in his reconciliation of the world to God? Did you worship to God the Father joyfully? Did you join the company of saints in your faith? Do you live in the power of his Spirit? Whoever experiences the goodness of our heavenly Father does not want to leave him, but to serve him joyfully. He who has God’s Spirit dwelling in him loves and forgives all the people without delay, and serves the church members at all times.
Thus, Christ said an important statement: “He who is not against us is on our side” though he had said in (Matthew 12:30): “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”
The difference between the two statements is that in the last one he defended himself against his quarrelsome enemies who charged him with having power to cast out the unclean spirits by an agreement with the ruling devil, while he said his first statement to support the believer who cast out demons in his name, though he was not one of his close attendants. Of this verse we testify to all churches, societies, and individuals who love Jesus, our living, coming, and crucified Savior, that they are our partners in the service, brothers and sisters of us in the Spirit, even if they were kept away from us due to doctrinal respects, or holding on to different rituals and customs. We are linked together in the name of the living Christ and his love, which passes knowledge and is patient with the brothers who differ from us in behavior.
Christ made the borders of his kingdom much wider than our bigotry. This is why he refuses our judgment of the others. Whoever gives one of the followers of Jesus a cup of cold water, and honors him because of his relation to the Son of God will receive everlasting blessing out of this giving, even if he were not yet renewed in himself. Christ knows the beginning of unapparent faith in hearts. He does not refuse the least inclination to him. This is why he honored every kind of sincere faith in all men, and was glad at every work in the way of the Lord. Do not only look at your church members, but also accept those of other circles, or churches who believe in the crucified Christ. Love them, and pray for them, for we are all one in the living Christ.