Word@Work 107 - Mark 9:38-41
Published: Mon, 04/21/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 9:38-41 "Teacher," said John, "we saw a man 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. "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. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. (NIV)
Restrictive practices are part of the worldly infrastructure of business. Although they will help to ensure 'quality', they also carry the immoral undercurrent of promoting the promoters (and those who play their professional game). This may be a harsh caricature, but are all regulators, professionals and educationalists really devoid of self-interest? Mixed motives are hard to separate. It was the disciples' problem.
Lots of people believed in Jesus, and some of these were doing miracles in His Name. This bothered the 12 apostles, who rebuked the 'unlicensed ministers'. But their proud zeal, which reported this to Jesus, was set for a fall. Jesus did not see it their way; and they were rebuked. Then He taught about the validity of all genuine ministries (which would subsequently be 'licensed' by the Holy Trinity (cf 1 Cor 12:7-11). It was yet another humbling moment, but lovingly tempered by the promise of reward for all those who minister truly in the Master's Name.
With an overabundance of Christian 'ministries' and 'churches' around the world, it is healthy to remember that the Lord will honour all true faith and Christ-centred service (despite theological and practical eccentricities). While uniformity or mutuality may be theologically or practically impossible, it remains true that the Lord will reward those who belong to Him, and those who serve them. We, rightly, protect ministries against the incursion of false teaching and practice, but it is the Lord who sifts the wheat from the chaff - He knows those that are His (cf 2 Tim 2:19) - and He will reward accordingly.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for the amazing way that You include people in Your Kingdom and call such a wide variety to serve You and Your Body round the world. Help me to honour those who You honour, and give them room to serve as they are called. In Jesus Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Restrictive practices are part of the worldly infrastructure of business. Although they will help to ensure 'quality', they also carry the immoral undercurrent of promoting the promoters (and those who play their professional game). This may be a harsh caricature, but are all regulators, professionals and educationalists really devoid of self-interest? Mixed motives are hard to separate. It was the disciples' problem.
Lots of people believed in Jesus, and some of these were doing miracles in His Name. This bothered the 12 apostles, who rebuked the 'unlicensed ministers'. But their proud zeal, which reported this to Jesus, was set for a fall. Jesus did not see it their way; and they were rebuked. Then He taught about the validity of all genuine ministries (which would subsequently be 'licensed' by the Holy Trinity (cf 1 Cor 12:7-11). It was yet another humbling moment, but lovingly tempered by the promise of reward for all those who minister truly in the Master's Name.
With an overabundance of Christian 'ministries' and 'churches' around the world, it is healthy to remember that the Lord will honour all true faith and Christ-centred service (despite theological and practical eccentricities). While uniformity or mutuality may be theologically or practically impossible, it remains true that the Lord will reward those who belong to Him, and those who serve them. We, rightly, protect ministries against the incursion of false teaching and practice, but it is the Lord who sifts the wheat from the chaff - He knows those that are His (cf 2 Tim 2:19) - and He will reward accordingly.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for the amazing way that You include people in Your Kingdom and call such a wide variety to serve You and Your Body round the world. Help me to honour those who You honour, and give them room to serve as they are called. In Jesus Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Why not share Word@Work with your friends - they can subscribe at http://www.beaconlight.co.uk/email!
If you value your free Word@Work - an occasional donation will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
If you value your free Word@Work - an occasional donation will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
W@W107 | Word@Work 2008 © Dr Paul Adams | Provided by BeaconLight
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Your next Word@Work will be sent on