learning DAILY



Matthew 10:34, Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth.  I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”

Luke 12:51, “Do you suppose That I came to give peace on earth?  I tell you, not at all, but rather division.”

Isaiah 9:6 contains some strong names for Jesus Christ.  There He is called the “Prince of Peace”.  How can He be called the “Prince of Peace” and then say He had come to bring a sword (contention) and division?  There it is – the Bible does contradict itself!  No! No! No!

The peace that Christ brings is eternal peace and is for the one who believes in Him.  No matter what is happening in the world around me, I can have the inner peace and truth abides within because Truth is Jesus Christ.  That is faith. 

The division comes because of those who neither love nor want the truth.  Faith separates the believer from the sinner and the world. The message of the Gospel divides and often brings persecution.  More and more those who believe in Christ as their Savior are being ridiculed and being persecuted.  Think about how slowly godly living has been taken away from us and false beliefs have been substituted.  In the 1960s, God was taken out of the schools.  In the early 1970s abortion was legalized.  Since then, the Ten Commandments have been removed from many public places. Manger scenes at Christmas time have been challenged.  Prayer before many high school and other public events has been removed.  And the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have challenged anything that relates to God, the Bible and everything to do with Christianity.  Anyone that desires to live according to God’s standards in the Bible is ridiculed.

If you go back and read the verses before and after the specific scriptures used above, you will see that Jesus was warning His followers that if they openly professed their faith in Him tension was going to occur.  Faith in Christ was going to cause division within families.  Often times members of the same family believe differently.  The verses following the above scripture tell that family members will be against each other.  This does not only occur between Muslim, or Hindu, or any other religious groups; it occurs where families go to church but have not professed a belief in Jesus Christ. 

The concept of separation from evil is fundamental to true Christianity.  God’s people are to separate themselves morally and spiritually from sin.  They are to draw near to Him through prayer, His Word, worship and thanksgiving.  The new Testament calls Believers to be separate from the corrupt world system and from unholy compromise.  To do this will certainly bring separation and division in the family unit and from those who are friends with the world.  It will bring ridicule and even persecution as the times move forward.

Jesus told us to count the cost in Luke 14:28. He is telling us whoever would follow Him to be sure he or she is willing and prepared to face the division.  The cost of real discipleship is to be willing to give up all relationships and possessions by placing them in the service of Christ to be used for His glory.

You might not have sensed the division discussed here.  You might not have lost your job because of your faith in Jesus Christ.  You might not know the division in your family over Jesus Christ.  You might not have faced persecution because of your faith.  Know that there are those who have; take time to remember them in your prayer time.  Be thankful for the inner peace that a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ brings.  He is good – all the time.

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