June 21, 2021 (Monday)
(Got home from the hospital after a three-stay yesterday. Heart problems. Hopefully, I will be feeling better in the days ahead. My heart is filled with gratitude for my son and daughter, Dwight and Dianna, for transporting me, staying with me, encouraging me and helping me in so many ways. I am grateful to all who prayed for me. I am thankful for the hospital staff who willingly and lovingly took care of me).
There is no time or reason for competition in the Lord’s work
Jesus’ disciples came to Him one day and reported a disturbing discovery. John spoke up, “Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t in our group.” Jesus wasn’t pleased. “Don’t stop him. No one can use my name to do something good and powerful, and in the next breath cut me down. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally. Why, anyone by just giving you a cup of water in my name is on our side. Count on it that God will notice.” (Mark 8:38-41 The Message).
Later on, when Paul was in prison, he had a similar experience. When imprisoned, he received word that some were preaching the gospel, but saying unkind things about Paul himself. His response was, “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” (Philippians 1:18 NIV).
What do we have here? Proof that the Lord wants us to apply ourselves to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and also wants us to be happy about what others are doing, if they are preaching Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Both Jesus our Lord and Paul His servant set the example for us, and made clear that there is no time or reason for competition in the Lord’s work.
What does it mean for us as Christians in the 21st Century? It means that we do our very best to lead people to Christ, rejoicing every day because so many others are working to do the same. We must resist the temptation to make critical remarks about what others are doing for Christ. And what if others criticize us? If we are sincerely wanting to please the Lord in the way we live and in the ways we work together in the church, then we will continue to pursue that goal, forgetting about self, and keeping our eyes on Jesus.
We thank the Lord for the privilege of serving Him. We live in a world full of people who need the Lord, so we thank the Lord for everyone, everywhere, who is preaching the glorious gospel.
(ENCORE BLOG FROM JULY 27, 2007)