“Our devotion to Christ should help us recognize His work in others, even when they do not belong to our circle.” — Alma Ohene-Opare
Commentary:
John once told the Savior that the disciples had seen someone casting out devils in His name and had forbidden him because he did not follow their group. Jesus corrected them. The man’s distance from their circle did not make him an enemy of their mission. I find that lesson searching. How often do we measure someone’s usefulness to God by their closeness to us? We can become so protective of our place in the Lord’s work that we forget whose work it is.
Imagine neighbors carrying buckets of water toward a burning home. Would we stop someone to ask whether he belonged to our neighborhood before allowing him to help? Yet we sometimes withhold encouragement from people defending the family, serving the vulnerable, or helping others turn toward Christ because their religious background differs from ours. Faithfulness requires discernment, and genuine doctrinal differences deserve honest attention. But those differences do not require us to dismiss every good thing another person does. We can hold firmly to revealed truth while exercising the humility to recognize goodness beyond familiar boundaries.
The Savior’s correction also invites us to examine our motives. Are we concerned that someone is misrepresenting Him, or uncomfortable that He might accomplish something through someone we did not expect? Agency gives each of us the responsibility to seek truth and choose righteousness. It also requires us to allow others room to respond to God. We do not have to surrender conviction to extend goodwill. We can acknowledge a faithful act, welcome an honest ally, and rejoice when suffering is relieved. Christlike living includes learning to celebrate good without needing to control who receives the credit.
Scripture:
“For he that is not against us is on our part.” — Mark 9:40
Daily Application:
Encourage someone outside your usual religious circle today by acknowledging a specific good they are doing.