From Doing to Confession

In our story, the second principle Jesus lays out for the disciples concerning the stranger casting out demons in Jesus' name is the principle that doing leads to confession. This principle has some caveats to it, but generally speaking it means that when we support and encourage, rather than hinder, those doing things in the name of Jesus, we help create a rich environment for faith and understanding to grow. There is no guarantee that it will grow and lead to salvation, but there is a better chance than if we "hinder." Though not a time to explore this, but this is what the early Restoration leaders seemed to do among the denominations. Instead of condemning them, they invited them to join them in a search for restoration of the New Testament church. They were seen as partners in this pursuit instead of enemies of the pursuit. Of course, some proved to be enemies, but many did join in and much good was done in reexamining together what the Scriptures said in a spirit of mutual truth seeking. So, Jesus states the principle this way: "For there is no one who shall perform a miracle in My Name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me." (Mark 9:39)

The first observation is that Jesus assumes that this man did actually cast out a demon in His Name. A miracle was performed. It was a real miracle by the power and authority of God. This means that there are those in this world who in the Name of Jesus do some amazing things, yet may not be fully Christ-followers. This really bothers us, especially when we can't or don't do some of the same things. I've never cast out a demon. Have you? Yet, God has done so through those who are merely seeking His way. This is like rainy days to me. This is God's business, not mine. But, doesn't Matt.7:21-23 say that there will be those who cast our demons, prophesy, and preform miracles who will be cursed because they do not do the will of God? Yes. There is no guarantee that if we support these folks that they will be saved. But, even in this passage the result of their activity in the Name of Jesus led them to confess Jesus as Lord, even though it was not a saving confession. Paul later says that "No one speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit.'" (1 Cor.12:3) In verse two these pagans had been led by dumb idols, but now that they came under the influence of the Spirit of God through the preaching of Paul, they were at least confessing that Jesus is Lord. That is a step in the right direction.

Mark records Jesus saying "speaking evil" and Paul says "accursed" which is anathema. If we go back to the original promise to Abraham that through Jesus all the nations of the earth would be blessed, and the corresponding curse of sin, there is an either/or choice we see. Every person in the world outside of Christ is under the curse of sin (Romans 8), including the earth itself. With the influence of Jesus unleashed in the world, the means of blessing has also been unleashed. Just as rain falls on the just and the unjust, so the blessings of Christ fall where they may. Some who do not yet understand the saving message of the gospel in its fullness nevertheless are greatly influenced by Jesus, and seek to do good things in His Name. They are participating in the blessing and not the curse. Do they have the fullness of the blessing yet? Perhaps not. But which is better? To encourage them to remain participants in the blessing or to hinder them, and perhaps discourage them, and make enemies of them so that they become a curse for the cause of Christ? Jesus tells us. Leave them alone, and see if this involvement in my work will lead them to a greater confession. In Acts 19:9 Paul identifies those Jews who when hearing the message of the gospel became hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude. In this case Paul withdrew and moved his operation to the Hall of Tyrannus and began teaching Gentiles. The environment in the synagogue was not sufficient to grow faith, yet Paul found a rich environment a few doors down among Gentiles who were teachable and eager to hear more about Jesus. When we associate with those in our communities who love Jesus as we do, though we disagree on fundamental matters of salvation, there is much greater chance that we can have those dialogs that might move us from disagreement to agreement, and in the meantime accomplish much in Jesus' Name.