What Jesus Did! 'Not Against Us!' — Mark 9:40

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

[Jesus said,] "Anyone who is not against us is for us."
— Mark 9:40 NLT

Key Thought

Christianity faces enough opposition in the world without Christians fighting and devouring each other because they think of each other as enemies. Jesus' words here are powerfully universal and clear - notice that the use of the word "anyone" is general. If people don't oppose us, they aren't our enemies! In fact, Jesus says even more than that: They are "for us;" they are working to benefit the cause of Jesus and his followers.

Today's Prayer

Father, I pray that those of us who seek to honor you will quit treating each other as enemies but rather will always support and encourage each other. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Can We Find Truth?
Article by Phil Ware
Is there truth that can be trusted? Jesus is the only absolute -- truth is found only in him.
Hot, Hot, Hot
Article by Bill Sherrill
How hot is it where you are? God calls us to decide for him or against -- he wants us to be hot, on fire for him.
Loving the Person Who Isn't 'One of Us'
Article by Rubel Shelly
Who do you believe is Rubel Shelly writes about the serious subject of unity and division and the way we view and deal with those who are not one of us.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 9:40 NLT — [Jesus said,] "Anyone who is not against us is for us."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, June 25, 2024

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'In the Middle' (Ek. 37:1)
"The hand of the Lord was on me [Ezekiel], and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; ..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Song of Songs 5:4
"Knocking was not enough, for my heart was too full of sleep, too cold and ungrateful to arise and open the door, but the touch of his effectual grace...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
James 1:22
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Authentic Ministry' (Acts 20:18-27)
"When [the elders of the Ephesian church] arrived [Paul] declared, "You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!