Matthew 10:34-36 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'"
When we think of the coming of the Messiah, we often think of peace, especially around Christmas time.
After all, isn't that what the songs always tell us: peace on earth, goodwill to men, silent night, etc.? All these are true. But there is another truth about Christ's coming.
We often hear in political discussions that "people are divided" and critical accusations when certain figures "polarize." The Bible does tell us that "blessed are the peacemakers," but there is a time when evil must be identified, separated from the good and dealt with.
Many people tell us that "all roads lead to heaven," and "it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere." But this is not what Jesus tells us.
Jesus says, "I am THE way, THE truth and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Just as 2+2 has no other answer but 5, God's truth is absolute. Truth is unequivocal. Truth separates the good from the bad, the evil from the righteous, those who have received God's forgiveness and those who haven't.
Jesus tells us in the passage above that not all will accept the forgiveness that his sacrifice on the cross purchased for us. Sons and fathers will be on opposite sides of salvation, as will mothers and daughters, and sometimes this will mean that those who refused to accept Christ will see us as their enemies.
As important as family and relationships are, there is something more important: obedience and loyalty to God. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world (or at least his mother/ father/ brother/ sister/ wife/ husband/ family relationship), yet loses his soul?
God requires complete loyalty, with nothing and no one coming before him.
Matthew 10:37-39 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Just as we divide rotten apples from good ones, just as we separate sick animals from healthy ones, just as we choose the best wood from flawed wood in our building project, so God separates the goats from the sheep, and the wheat from the tares.
The good news is that, unlike a goat or a rotten apple, as humans we have a choice of what we will do with the condition of our soul. We can choose whether we end up with God, or end up on the other side of His grace. Unfortunately, some will choose not to go God's way.
This is a hard truth, but the truth nevertheless. Christ followers must make every effort to help their loved ones find God's truth. But they must not place relationships before God. God told us to have no gods before him, and anything we love more than him, anything or anyone we place in priority before him, is a god.
Why did Jesus come to earth 2,000 years ago? One of the reasons he came was to divide. It's a hard truth, but one we must accept along with the truth of his love, grace, forgiveness and peace. Knowing about this division, now is the time for us to ensure we're on the right side of the divide.
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