in Christ

The following words are reassuring to someone like me, who often over-analyzes the things that I have done and will do. I set my goals often on meeting other people's standards and doing things to make them happy. But there is hope here for me and anyone who seeks to serve God but does not find himself or herself worthy when looking in the mirror.

"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." -Mark 9:38-41

What a blessing it is to receive hope that God uses the poor ignorant me to do valuable work, and that he sees that work, done in his name, to be part of the life of his redeemed children.

As I read the disciples' words, I start to hear contemporary voices, tearing down other Christian denominations, and their members, "because they are not one of us."

It seems not so much that Jesus is telling them, "don't tell people to stop doing things," but that he is saying, "learn to recognize the difference." For there are many people serving God in Christ's name, regardless of their status as confirmed lutherans.

He first teaches them to see what qualifies people to serve. It is in Christ that they do if they do so validly. Then he teaches them:

"And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where "'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.' " -Mark 9:42-48

He shows them where the danger is. He says, it is good and right that things should be done in my name, but it is not on the grounds of being part of our earthly club that you measure error--it is on the grounds of sin, and passing it on.

Then, Lord I ask you to give me confidence to lead and act in your name. I ask that you help me see ways that I might cause others to stumble, before they ever happen. Even more, help me to see the value in the works of others done in your name. And if possible help me know where to draw a line in correcting so that no one might be millstone-worthy.