Luke 9:49-50 "Master," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us." Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you."
The “someone” John speaks of here was not one of the twelve. He was outside of their circle of disciples, outside of their area of influence. They didn’t know him, but what he was doing was considered legitimate by Jesus and was in line with the word of God. The action they took is similar to what a lot of Christians and humanity do today. You are not one of us, you are different, we’re not the same. Division. Separation. Judgement. Condemnation.
There’s practically a church on every corner, so is there such a thing as a true church? The true churches and false churches are measured by whether they include the work of the Holy Spirit. If they do, then they are the true ones after God’s heart. If they don't, then they are the false ones.
Just because someone doesn’t agree with you doesn’t mean that they don’t follow Jesus. This is largely because no two people are alike in every detail. Regardless of how closely various churches may agree with each other doctrinally, there still will never be two churches exactly alike. This is certain.
The entire purpose of this epistle is to make a clear distinction between the gospel of Jesus Christ and false gospels. Galatians attacks two false ideas, legalism and lawlessness. It dismantles the lies of these ideas and paints a true picture of salvation by grace through faith alone.
We must look at whether believers read and fellowship with God’s word in the meetings, and whether the true believers live and grow in the word. Moreover, whether the pastors and elders also live by the word, seek the truth, and have the work of the Holy Spirit in them. And that they truly understand and practice the truth. In addition, we should also discern whether the church is ruled by the truth or by antichrists, and whether it is ruled by the ones who seek the truth or are led by false gospels.
If the pastors and elders’ sermons can supply believers' lives, lead them to know God and understand God’s will, then through their sermon’s believers can have more and more knowledge of God and form an increasingly genuine and closer relationship with God.
We must always rely on the Holy Spirit to teach us and show us if we are going to the right church that enables us to grow in Christ. We should never separate ourselves from other Christians. We are all one body in Christ, and one day when Jesus returns, we will all be in one accord.
Just because someone doesn’t go to our church doesn’t mean that they’re not doing the work of the gospel. We must always receive other Christians in love and unity. Different people learn and understand differently than we do. Remember, we must always follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
