“Think not that I have come to send peace. I came not to send peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).
It’s easy to think that Jesus came to bring peace. After all, Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, and when he was born, the angels sang, “Peace on earth!” He sent the Holy Spirit in our hearts to give us peace.
But Jesus told us not to think that he came to send peace, but a sword, particularly in relationships.
The word of God is like a sword (Hebrews 4:12). A sword cuts, and the spiritual sword of God’s word cuts people to the heart by convicting them of sin. When the word of God brings conviction, people do one of two things: they either humble themselves under God and repent, or they resist the word of God and fight against their Creator. God’s word brings conflict because people don’t like what God says.
In all close relationships, Jesus must come first. His word must be exalted. We are not called to keep the sword of God’s word in a sheath, but we are called to bring it out. We may have to say things others may not like. We may need to contradict statements, traditions, or popular beliefs. We might have to do things others don’t understand as we obey God.
Jesus doesn’t want us to be surprised when conflict in relationships arises because of God’s word. Jesus came so his word could operate. When God’s word is revealed and conflict happens, we shouldn’t think we’re doing something wrong or making a mistake.
Peace is important, but it has to be real peace. Real peace is based on God’s word. It is on God’s terms, not our terms. God’s terms of peace are defined in his word.
The word of God is the truth, and Jesus is the word of God. Therefore Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6).
God wants truth to be exalted over peace, because truth is the basis of genuine peace. When Jesus is accepted, there can be real peace because he is the author of peace. But when Jesus is rejected, there can be no real peace.
God’s word is the pathway to true peace, and sometimes true peace can only be achieved through conflict.
The World’s False Peace
The world has a false peace that is not based on God and his word. The world says everything is relative and subjective, and there is no absolute truth. There is “my truth” and “your truth”. The world says we may disagree about truth, but we should all get along anyway. “Peace, man!”
Someday, the Antichrist will bring a false sense of peace to the world (Daniel 8:25). He will trample on truth and put it down so he can spread false peace everywhere. But the Bible warns that when the world is full of this false sense of peace and safety (security), then sudden destruction from God will come upon them (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
False peace and rejecting the truth go hand in hand.
Peace without God is a lie that comes from Satan.
Be Kind
We are not called to be rude, harsh, and uncaring. We need to do our best to be kind and loving, reflecting the love of Christ to everyone. But Jesus never hid his light under a bushel, and we shouldn’t either.
We don’t need to pick fights, but we do need to stand for the truth.
“If possible, as much as lies in you, be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:18).
It’s good to have peace with others, and God wants us to seek peace.
“Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9).
But God also wants us to recognize that his word is the basis of all true peace, and apart from God there is no peace.
Don’t be surprised when strained relationships come because of the word of God. According to Jesus, this is part of the normal Christian life.
Lincoln House Churches 