“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:38-40 NIV)
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. – Jesus
(Matthew 12:30 NIV)
God, do you remember “Yanna?”
Yes, she was in your class in seminary.
Yes. She was in a different track, but in some of my classes. I didn’t know her very deeply, but what I knew of her was lovely. She was gracious and kind and had a ready smile.
She still does. She’s been working in my Kingdom for several decades now. Why do you ask?
I was looking for something on YouTube and found a Lenten video series she’d done. I watched part of one of her videos and then went to find her on social media. Many of her posts supported something that I can’t agree with, and now I’m struggling to reconcile this.
Child, have you not noticed that in my Kingdom there are a variety of people with a variety of different perspectives on certain things?
Oh yes, Lord. I’ve definitely noticed.
What are you supposed to do to those who are different?
Love them.
Yes. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love them no matter what theology, income, color, ideology, sexual orientation, denomination, etc. Just love them.
But what about our differences?
Is the issue you speak of something that my Word holds up as an absolute?
No.
Then let your feelings go. Your world has been parsed into tiny sectors around many things that are not of Me. You have much more in common with other Christians than many of you realize.
But I thought there were a lot of people who call themselves Christians but aren’t really going about your Kingdom work.
There are, but that’s not for you to decide; I will judge. If they are not against Me, they are for Me. Doctrine does matter, but doctrine without Love and Grace is just law and judgement.
But how do I tell?
Ask me for more of my Spirit. I will give you the wisdom, knowledge and discernment you need to tell what is my Truth and what is the world’s lies or your enemy’s lies. The more you come to me and spend time with me, the more you will know what is of ME and what is not. You need to be discerning in this day and age, but leave the judging to me.
Thanks, Lord.
You’re welcome, Child. I love you.
AMEN.
Lord God Almighty,
You perfectly balance love, grace, mercy, judgement, holiness, and creativity. Fill us with more of your Spirit so we can better reflect and emulate you. Help us to love you with all we are, and to love those around us – no matter who they are – with pure hearts. In this day and age we need your wisdom, knowledge, and discernment so we can recognize what is of you. We also need more of your Spirit to be more loving, peaceful, and merciful. Help us to trust that even when we don’t understand, your perfect judgement exceeds our comprehension. Mold us into the image of Jesus Christ, we pray. AMEN.
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Jesus (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV)
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98:8-9 NIV)