Post by John on May 12, 2019 18:10:39 GMT -5
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 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. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 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. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 10:34-39
This is a very interesting passage, in that most would think it strange that the Prince of Peace says that he did not come to send peace on earth. The question is, what does he mean by that? Is Jesus telling us that he came to bring strife and wars? That doesn't seem to make logical sense until you recognize how he means this.
Jesus is telling us that his coming to earth, sharing the truth, as opposed to the lies that the religious leaders had been feeding everyone, was going to lead to strife and divisions. People were going to have to make a choice concerning who they would believe and follow, the Pharisees and Sadducees or Christ? Of course, the debates did not end with those groups. They continue to this day. We are still divided over our beliefs about who Jesus is, like is he just a prophet, or is he God? Is he the Messiah or a deceiver? Among professing Christians, we have divisions over doctrines and denominations. Those divisions are real, not just among the population at large, but even in many homes and they divide the family unit.
We have always had these divisions, but I believe that we are coming to a place where battle lines are being drawn. People are choosing sides and are willing to fight for their beliefs, even to the destruction of everyone that won't agree with them. That is just the reality of things. If we are willing to sell out the truth to get along, Jesus says we are not worthy of him because we love others more than him. If we are not willing to stand up for the truth, take up our cross daily, and follow the Lord, we are not worthy of him. Those who sell out and find their life serving the flesh will lose their life spiritually, but those who will die to the flesh will gain eternal life.
I believe we are at the place where we are going to be forced to choose sides. We may not want to, but we will have no choice, because even if we are willing to "co-exist" or try to keep silent so as not to offend, those on the other side are not content with that. They will not be satisfied till all agree with their beliefs. They want everyone on the broad road with them. They can't stand the thought that anyone might think that they might be heading for hell, because they once said a sinner's prayer, and who are we to judge another man's servant? The children of the flesh have always persecuted the children of promise. It has always been that way, and will continue to be so until the Lord returns. Being lukewarm is no longer a viable option. Choose you this day who you will serve? That decision will determine whether you wind up at the straight gate or the wide gate. It will determine whether you spend eternity in heaven or in hell.
This is a very interesting passage, in that most would think it strange that the Prince of Peace says that he did not come to send peace on earth. The question is, what does he mean by that? Is Jesus telling us that he came to bring strife and wars? That doesn't seem to make logical sense until you recognize how he means this.
Jesus is telling us that his coming to earth, sharing the truth, as opposed to the lies that the religious leaders had been feeding everyone, was going to lead to strife and divisions. People were going to have to make a choice concerning who they would believe and follow, the Pharisees and Sadducees or Christ? Of course, the debates did not end with those groups. They continue to this day. We are still divided over our beliefs about who Jesus is, like is he just a prophet, or is he God? Is he the Messiah or a deceiver? Among professing Christians, we have divisions over doctrines and denominations. Those divisions are real, not just among the population at large, but even in many homes and they divide the family unit.
We have always had these divisions, but I believe that we are coming to a place where battle lines are being drawn. People are choosing sides and are willing to fight for their beliefs, even to the destruction of everyone that won't agree with them. That is just the reality of things. If we are willing to sell out the truth to get along, Jesus says we are not worthy of him because we love others more than him. If we are not willing to stand up for the truth, take up our cross daily, and follow the Lord, we are not worthy of him. Those who sell out and find their life serving the flesh will lose their life spiritually, but those who will die to the flesh will gain eternal life.
I believe we are at the place where we are going to be forced to choose sides. We may not want to, but we will have no choice, because even if we are willing to "co-exist" or try to keep silent so as not to offend, those on the other side are not content with that. They will not be satisfied till all agree with their beliefs. They want everyone on the broad road with them. They can't stand the thought that anyone might think that they might be heading for hell, because they once said a sinner's prayer, and who are we to judge another man's servant? The children of the flesh have always persecuted the children of promise. It has always been that way, and will continue to be so until the Lord returns. Being lukewarm is no longer a viable option. Choose you this day who you will serve? That decision will determine whether you wind up at the straight gate or the wide gate. It will determine whether you spend eternity in heaven or in hell.