At that time, John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he did not follow us.”
“Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”
Mark 9:38-40

In this passage, the apostle John is asking Jesus to rebuke someone who was not an apostle because he invoked Jesus’ name while banishing demons. Quite simply, John is just jealous. He desires all the glory that comes with being an apostle to Jesus. But Jesus tells John to be tolerant of this man. Jesus says that when anyone is working in his name, then it is for good.  

As the living body of Christ, we are called to welcome people into our community, no matter who they are. It is wrong to be protective of or exclusive with our faith. Everyone is welcome to join with Jesus, not just church people or religious people. This principle is repeated in the gospels over and over. Jesus accepted all people as they were. None of them were good enough — but neither are we, not without Christ.

Ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen your heart and the hearts of all who are working to further God’s kingdom.