Peace or a Sword

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. [35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. [36] And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” – Matthew 10:34-36

What needs to be understood is that the Peace of God is different from the Peace of the World!

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

The end result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is deep and lasting peace. Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict,

This peace is confident assurance in any circumstance; Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict.

Jesus says he will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from him. With Christ’s peace, we have no need to fear the present or the future.

Matthew 10:34 says:

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”

Jesus did not come to bring the kind of peace that glosses over deep differences just for the sake of superficial harmony.

Conflict and disagreement will arise between those who choose to follow Christ and those who don’t.

Literally the Lord was saying “Don’t think for one moment that living for me is going to be easy or free of conflict…it will come at a cost…sometimes even in your own family!

Christian commitment may separate friends and loved ones.

In saying this, Jesus was not encouraging disobedience to parents or conflict at home. Rather, he was showing that his presence demands a decision.

Because some will follow Christ and some won’t, conflict will inevitably arise.

As we take our cross and follow him, our different values, morals, goals, and purposes will set us apart from others.

Don’t neglect your family, but remember that your commitment to God is even more important than they are.

“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:37-38

God should be your first priority.