Turn that passion into compassion, and you’ll capture the kingdom.
John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.’” Luke 9:49–50
“But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them.” Luke 9:53–55
These exchanges are almost comical. Zealous as they are to look out for Jesus, the disciples are ready to take on any and all enemies deemed within their reach of power.
Someone’s casting out demons in the name of Jesus but not physically following him? Stop him immediately.
A Samaritan village isn’t welcoming Jesus with open arms? Blast them.
One finds this aggressive spirit in some corners of evangelical Christianity today, and it’s not a great look.
If you’re not part of [insert name of church, denomination, conference, association], then you’re not worth following. Or fellowshiping with. Or giving any form of tacit support whatsoever.
If you’re in the world outside of the church and dare to oppose [insert name of church, denomination, conference, association], we’ll pray for your sure destruction. If you don’t watch out, we may declare war, too: books, media, conferences, boycotts, and legislation will all be waged against you.
We’ll do everything in our power to bring you down.
We might call this Crusader Christianity, and Jesus has no time for it. No, it’s actually not essential that every member of the kingdom is in “our camp.” No, there’s no need to rain hellfire down on those who won’t take us in.
Guys, he might have said, we need a little less passion for battles, and a little more compassion for the lost.
The kingdom marches on, and it’s a joy to play a part in God’s great story. It’s important to stand for truth and Godly principles when they fall under attack.
But to be drawn into wars against all perceived enemies of the kingdom is to miss the mission.
The Cascadian Christian 