The texts you mentioned, "For whoever is not against us is for us" (Mark 9:40) and "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters" (Matthew 12:30), certainly do not contradict each other. They speak of different, although related, things...
The texts you mentioned, "For whoever is not against us is for us" ( 9:40) and "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters" ( 12:30), certainly do not contradict each other. They speak of different, although related, things.
In the Gospel of Matthew, the Lord speaks to a person about his relationship with Him Himself. The main thing He wants to convey to the listeners (and readers) is that it is impossible to remain neutral towards God. God's will for the salvation of the world was that Christ would be revealed to all of us, and our relationship with Him becomes the cardinal choice of human life. In Deuteronomy, there are remarkable words: "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life..." ( 30:19). Thus, our relationship with Jesus Christ is exactly this choice between life and death. It is clear that if a person does not choose life and does not live, then he chooses death—there is no third option, as they say. But this is the relationship between God and man.
When instructing the apostles, however, the Lord Jesus speaks about relationships between people. The primary call of the New Testament here is to always seek peace as much as it is at all possible. The Lord says in the Sermon on the Mount: come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court. The apostle Paul writes in one of his epistles: owe no one anything, except to love each other... do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. By telling the apostles, "whoever is not against us is for us," the Lord is saying that if another person is not directly hostile towards us, then he cannot be an opponent for us either. In fact, Christ's radically new commandment speaks of love even for enemies—all the more reason a disciple of Christ cannot allow hostility and division on their own initiative. Christ repeatedly warned His disciples that their faith would cause hostility from people against them: "the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God...". But the disciples must not respond in kind.
In practical life, this means that if you are not being nourished by the only Source of life—Christ—then you are not being nourished by anything at all, because there simply is no other source of life. At the same time, if there is an opportunity with someone to build "human," benevolent relationships without compromising communion with Christ, a disciple must not neglect it. And as for the one who is "against you," the Lord calls us to love them too: to pray for them and, if possible, to do good to them as well.
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9:38 And John answered him - As if he had said, But ought we to receive those who follow not us? Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name - Probably this was one of John the Baptist's disciples, who believed in Jesus, though he did not yet associate with our Lord's disciples. And we forbad him, because he followeth not us - How often is the same temper found in us?How readily do we also lust to envy? But how does that spirit become a disciple, much more a minister of the benevolent Jesus!St. Paul had learnt a better temper, when he rejoiced that Christ was preached, even by those who were his personal enemies. But to confine religion to them that follow us, is a narrowness of spirit which we should avoid and abhor. Luk 9:49.
9:39 Jesus said - Christ here gives us a lovely example of candour and moderation. He was willing to put the best construction on doubtful cases, and to treat as friends those who were not avowed enemies. Perhaps in this instance it was a means of conquering the remainder of prejudice, and perfecting what was wanting in the faith and obedience of these persons.Forbid him not - Neither directly nor indirectly discourage or hinder any man who brings sinners from the power of Satan to God, because he followeth not us, in opinions, modes of worship, or any thing else which does not affect the essence of religion.
9:40 For he that is not against you, is for you - Our Lord had formerly said, he that is not with me, is against me: thereby admonishing his hearers, that the war between him and Satan admitted of no neutrality, and that those who were indifferent to him now, would finally be treated as enemies. But here in another view, he uses a very different proverb; directing his followers to judge of men's characters in the most candid manner; and charitably to hope that those who did not oppose his cause wished well to it. Upon the whole, we are to be rigorous in judging ourselves, and candid in judging each other.