Encounters

"Whoever is not against us, is for us," Mark 9:40.

Wait a minute, Jesus - remember that other time when you said: Whoever is not for us is against us? Actually, No. Jesus did not say that exactly. What he did say was: Whoever is not with me is against me. Too, he had said: Whoever is not against you is for you. So, what's the diff? This - If people align themselves with Jesus even if they're outside our rightful group, Jesus says they're not against us (so, he says, leave them be). But when people ascribe to Jesus devilish motivation instead of divine power, they oppose him, Jesus himself. Whoever ascribes demonic power to the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven now or forever. That's the diff.

We meet with a brother or sister today sobered by encounters with Jesus. And together we give thanks to God for having empowered his Christ with his Spirit for our eternal forgiveness.