It Takes Time Sometimes
When it comes to embodying New Covenant truth, it can take some time for it to be deeply absorbed into the soul, producing a more robust fruit for Jesus.
The disciples had been with Jesus for a considerable time and were still struggling to fully grasp His message and realize that ministering in His name was not exclusive only to them. In fact, it would take them a while after the Holy Spirit had come to grasp that the Gospel of the kingdom was intended for the Gentiles.
Luke 9:46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.” 49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”
The disciples just learned that children are not enemies or hindrances to Jesus and are welcome to come to Jesus. Then they had to learn that others could do things in His name, just as they could, and that they were not enemies or hindrances. This was even the beloved John, who was wrestling with this matter and coming to Jesus over it. The "love apostle," John, struggled with sectarianism, just as the other disciples did.
Sectarianism - excessive attachment to or identification with a particular religious or political group
In the disciple's mind, only Jesus and they had any right to cast out demons in His name, or that is by His authority.
In this age, when they don't dot their i's or cross their t's the way we do, and therefore they are of less value than we, it can create quite a stir. This is why the New Covenant Gospel needs to have time to marinate in our hearts and minds until it produces less concern about those who do not say it the same way we do, or promote Jesus in the same way we do, than our concern for the lost in this world who so desperately need Him.
When the church spends all her time only ministering to her own, she can forget her mission and get caught up in a civil war within the kingdom of God. That is when every message is directed against someone with a different opinion, rather than being geared towards producing life, health, and freedom for anyone who is being called. Let's stay on mission and let the message of "the hope of glory and eternal life is only in Christ Jesus and no other" sort it all out.
