Parker Inspirations

Luke 9:49-50

“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.”

This is my thoughts. I grew up in an independent, fundamental, hell fire, King James Bible believing, separated Baptist church. I have heard this said many times in my life. They do not believe the way we do, do not fellowship with them.  Is that not what John said, “because he followeth not with us.”

Today we have many churches. All churches do not believe the same, do not conduct services the same and do not share in the same music. I have talked to many a people who do not agree with me on my stand for the King James Bible. The only thing that we both agree on is salvation through Christ. Because of this one belief we are able to agree to disagree on the rest. They are not against Christ so they are for us.

Let me say that I am not best friends with those who do not believe all that I believe. I am also not against them because they do not believe the way I do. If I condemn them and treat them like they have a plague because of the differences, then I am just like John. Christ said, “Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” Christ is to be exalted, not all of what we believe. If we both believe that Christ is the only way to Heaven, then we should not be against each other.

I am not saying we should merge and ignore all the things we hold fast too. We should never compromise on what we believe. I am just saying that we are not the judge, God is. We can be friendly with one another and respect that we cannot change those things that are different. We can rejoice in the one thing that we do agree, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We each have to give account for the things we believe in. I believe that if it is in the Bible, then that is all I need to believe. I stand on what I believe.  However, I have talked to others who believe that exact same statement. They are willing to take a stand for what they believe.  

We listen to great gospel music that has a great message. The people singing those songs do not all believe the same.  They do not attend the same kind of Church. They do believe in the message in the song. They openly talk about the Love of Christ and the things they do agree on. Do I stop listening to their music? No! I am not listening to the music based on their life. I am listening to the music based on the message it brings. I look for music that helps me praise the Lord for what he has done in my life.  Now if that music crosses a line in what I believe and it grieves my spirit, then I do not listen to it.

Bottom line, keep the good stuff and throw out the rest. “And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not; for he that is not against us is for us.”