LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Sweeping Away the Sectarian Spirit
"Then John answered and said: Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he is not with us. Jesus saith unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us" (Luke 9:49-50).
John, the "Son of thunder", had not yet been transformed. He was still the thunder that roared and frightened, in a carnal zeal for his Master. Here he forbids casting out demons to one who would not go with them. John loves Jesus with that sickly, exclusivist love with which little ones in the faith are wont to love. He cannot allow anyone to use the name of Jesus without authorization, and without being part of the group of the elect.
This is the sectarian spirit. It is the exclusivist spirit that the Lord immediately banished from John's heart. The Lord knew that this carnal impulse would bring many difficulties to the work of God later on, and He leaves this episode on record, for our teaching and profit.
Nevertheless, this spirit continues to haunt and entangle us, to the point that it seems as if the Lord never taught about it. Great servants of God and inspired currents of restoration have suffered - and are suffering - from this lamentable evil, to the scandal, division and death in the midst of Christendom. It is enough that someone is not part of our group, for him to become an outsider, a counterfeiter and an enemy.
But, thanks be to God, the heart of Christ is much broader than ours; his affections are much stronger and purer. In his heart there is room for all those whom the Father gave him, those who were in the heart of God before the world was.
How often a work of God, which he in his grace blessed, has been transformed into an exclusivist sect. Yet in the heart of the Lord there is room for all who call upon His name. Whether they do it rightly or wrongly, ungodly or godly, is a matter for him to judge, and not for us.
That man who cast out demons, surely, did not have the light that the disciples had, because he did not enjoy the nearness of the Lord. But even so, he was worthy of respect, so how could he speak ill of Jesus, if he had worked miracles in His name?
The eyes of our understanding must be opened to see beyond the group in which we participate, beyond the work to which we belong. If this has not happened, we do not know the heart of God, nor can we collaborate with His universal work. If we seek only the progress of 'our' doctrine, of 'our' leader, of 'our' organization, we are rowing with only one oar and looking with only one eye, biased and obscured, with very little utility for God.
Who have ceased to be selfish, short-sighted and spoiled children in the House of God; who have eyes to look and love God's children beyond their narrow limits, in a wider horizon, with a generous heart, are blessed, and useful in God's hands.