Mark 9:36-50

Discipleship requires uncommon trust -- Mark 9:36-50: In Mark 9:38-40 we read, "John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part." This is a passage that has been twisted and perverted. This passage is used to say that we should accept anyone that says they are acting in Jesus' name. It is also applied as a proof that gospel preachers should refrain from exposing false teachers and telling people they are in religious error or immorality. The man casting out demons was not a false teacher. If he had been Jesus would have called him a false prophets or a bad tree. (Matthew 7:15-20) Jesus said this man is "on our part." John did not say the man was a false teacher, only "he followeth not us." There were many others not in the company of the apostles that were faithful disciples! This unidentified man, based on every indication we have, was a faithful disciple of Christ, teaching only the truth of God.

God wants us to serve others and to be careful not to offend. He warns us to careful avoid any that would offend or pull us away from God or any attitude that would cause us to be cast into hell. Those that do not turn away from God will be salted and preserved by His grace and mercy. Those that deny themselves and become a living sacrifice for Jesus will be preserved from eternal destruction. But as salt if it loses its saltines is fit for nothing, so you, if you lose your faith and love, are fit for nothing but to be utterly destroyed.