JESUS DEMONSTRATES the simplicity of acceptable service by taking little children in His arms and saying: “Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me; and... Him that sent Me.” Kindness to a child is certainly a simple service—an infant being one who would not be able to return the good deed, or perhaps not even appreciate or understand what is done for it. This typifies Christlike service and removes untrue motives from the heart of the servant.
John is disturbed because a man had been seen casting out demons in the name of Jesus, although he was not one of their own company. The disciples forbade him doing so, but Jesus replied: “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.” The Lord knew the heart of every man and thus accepted the work of this one outside His immediate followers. We will do well to recall the character of the day in which this took place, when the name of Jesus was despised by the Jews in general and it was no light thing for anyone to use that name. Anyone who did so would definitely be a true believer in Him, even though it might be on very simple grounds.
Today there are many around us who “use” the Lord’s name, but are not His true disciples at all. We must be careful about approving such work, for it may really be done under San’s power and be dishonoring to the blessed name of the Lord Jesus. The Lord spoke of these false ones when He said: “Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we net prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:21-2321Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21‑23).
We can see by these words of the Lord Jesus, spoken on different occasions, that we need to weigh all that claims His name and not blindly accept every teaching, just because the name of the Lord is used by the teacher. But it is also important to remember that it is not our place to act in judgment on others, even though we may be sure they are untrue. The Lord Himself is the Judge of such.
Work on our part may not be anything more than a little service. But just a cup of water, the Lord tells us, given in His name, will be graciously recorded by Him who reads our hearts, just as the receiving of a little child in His name is also acceptable to Him. Is He not a wonderful Lord and Saviour?
The reader is warned, however, that if one is not truly a child of God through faith in Christ, then he has no right to use His name at all. May we be careful that whenever we express that precious name, that it is out of a true heart.
“The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him... in truth.” Ps. 145:18.
ML-11/17/1963