by Rich DuBose
Wherever people gather, have you noticed how quickly they segregate themselves into groups that share similar physical, sociological, ethnic, and financial qualities? Poor people don’t usually hang out with those who are super rich, and high school dropouts seldom feel an natural affinity with those who have graduate and postgraduate degrees. Obviously, there are situations that defy these blanket assumptions.
Even though it is not politically correct to admit it, racial preferences often dictate who people choose to be with. It is a natural occurrence for people with similarities to feel comfortable and at ease with each other. Someone who tries to integrate into one of these sub groups without the proper “qualifications” may detect a sense of reluctance by the group to let them in.
One day Jesus’ disciples felt this reluctance as they journeyed along. John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.” Jesus said, “Don’t stop him! No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:38-40, NLT). Just because someone isn’t in our circle, or doesn’t belong to our ecclesiastical order doesn’t mean God cannot use them to bless others. God can use any and every means to accomplish his purposes. Remember when he used Balaam’s donkey? Unless someone is blatantly opposing God and his people, we have no business condemning them or trying to stop their efforts.
Within the larger community of Christian believers there are distinct sub groups who share defining doctrinal beliefs. Whenever we can, we should give our blessing and encouragement to those who are not “with us” yet who are clearly “with Jesus.” While many of these groups have overlapping beliefs that resonate with scripture and are shared, some are distinctly different and even oppositional.
On one occasion Jesus told His disciples that not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord,” will be willing to follow where He leads (Matthew 7:21). Evidently, some who profess to be Christ’s followers are followers in name only. They are not truly with Him. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” While it is true that we may be able to discern someone's spiritual intent by studying the fruit of their lives, it is equally true that only God can read the intent of the heart. As far as possible, we need to give people the benefit of the doubt.
All who are with Jesus are at different levels of spiritual development. God orchestrates the growth and gives each one what they need to mature into fruitful followers. He brings people into our lives and over time may lead us through multiple church groups (denominations) to bring us to where he wants us to be.
Physical and spiritual growth occurs over extended periods of time. One does not grow up overnight. In our discipleship efforts we need to be careful not to try and rush the process. Forcing flowers to bloom before their time always ends in ruin.
Within the larger sphere of spiritual growth certain commonalities exist.
The core doctrines of Christianity that are shared by many, present Christ as mankind’s only atoning sacrifice for sin. In addition, baptism is viewed as the symbol of spiritual birth, and heaven is the destination of the righteous. God’s law is written within our hearts, but it is clearly the divine commodity of grace that makes believers eligible to partake of the Tree of Life. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Anyone teaching these core beliefs is not an enemy of God’s kingdom. Rather, they are fellow believers who may differ in their understanding of aspects of belief, yet who are still faithful in their walk with Jesus. They are with God and are not opposed to his kingdom.
Every follower of Jesus has the assurance that the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, will guide them into God’s kingdom.
“When he (the Advocate, Spirit of Truth) comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me” (John 16:8-9, NLT).
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth” (John 14:15, NLT).
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NLT).
Let’s not make spirituality more complicated than it is. The simple reality is that God will bring each one safely home if they listen for his “voice” through a careful reading of Scripture and through prayer, and then follow (obey) what he asks them to do.
The bottom line of true spirituality is clearly spelled out in Matthew 7:12, where Jesus says his followers are to treat others (everyone) as they wish to be treated, because this is the essence of all that is taught in the Law and the Prophets (all of Scripture).
The central focus of God’s Kingdom is relational. Being a true follower of Jesus is not as much about having right theology as it is about treating everyone with grace, mercy, and kindness. How we treat our enemies and those we think God doesn’t like is more important than having the right set of “squeaky clean” moral beliefs. Our theology only becomes “correct” if it gives us a clear view of what God is like —his character. God is love, and if we say that we are God’s child but hate our neighbor, who we think God can’t love because they don’t pass or “sniff test” of what it means to be a true believer, then we are disregarding Jesus’ command to not judge others.
I invite you to enter into the joy that can only be found in letting God be God, and that can only be understood as you love others as God has loved you —unconditionally and without qualification. Remember, you were loved before you deserved it.
Rich DuBose writes from Northern California. Photo by Kindel Media of Pexels.
On the web at: richdubose.com. All Rights Reserved © 2025. Join me on Blue Sky @spiritrenew.bsky.social.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.