Read Luke 9:49-62
In 1974, Newsweek Magazine told the story of five Japanese soldiers who had been left on the island Lubang in the Philippines. The date was December 25, 1944, and the parting words from their commanding officer was to "carry on the mission even if Japan surrenders." It was only a few months later that Japan did in fact surrender, an announcement that meant nothing to these five men. For six years they banded together, holding their position against an unseen enemy. Finally, in 1950, one of the soldiers surrendered. Another was killed four years later in a skirmish with local police. A third was killed in 1972, leaving one lone soldier, Lt. Hiroo Onada, to continue his war alone.
All efforts to capture him or convince him to surrender failed. He ignored air-dropped leaflets, and messages from loudspeakers announcing Japan's surrender and offering to send him home. He refused to believe. Over the years he lived off the land and raided the fields and gardens of local citizens. He was responsible for killing at least 30 people during his 29 year personal war. Thirteen thousand men, and almost half a million dollars, were dispatched trying to locate and convince him to surrender.
Finally, on March 10, 1974, almost 30 years after the end of World War II, Lt. Hiroo Onada surrendered his rusty sword after receiving a personal command from his former superior officer. When he was left on the island, Lt. Onada was 22 years old. He emerged from it a bitter and prematurely aged man of 52. Misplaced aggression. It will rob you of not only your life's joy, but your life's purpose. And derailing your life's purpose is what your real enemy is all about.
As we're reading in the ninth chapter of Luke, we find it’s at the very beginning of this passage that Jesus sets His disciples straight as to identifying the true enemy.
John said to Jesus, "Master, we saw someone using Your name to cast out demons. We tried to stop him because he isn't in our group." But Jesus said, "Don't stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you." Luke 49, 50
Anyone who is not against you is for you. Some pretty straight-forward words. Words that we would do well to remember. Of course, not everyone who uses the name of Jesus is genuinely living for Him. We must look closely at those in ministry. We must see past their outward shine to detect their inward glow. And if that glow is from a pure love for Jesus resulting in sound Biblical teaching, we need look no further. Jesus said it Himself in the book of John...
"If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples." John 8:31b (The Amplified Bible)
It does not get any plainer than that. And it will not come from anyone with more authority than Him. If we live our lives committed to Jesus and base our lives on His Word, we are His disciples. And we’re part of a HUGE family. God uses many different groups to spread the message of the Cross. As long as that message is true to God’s Word, the name of the group doesn’t matter.
Let’s face it. We’re in a spiritual war. But let's not waste our lives shooting at shadows in the trees. Let's properly identify the enemy and his work, and then join forces with everyone else.
Just as Jesus said… Anyone who is not against you is for you.
