As Christmas cards are mailed and received, there seems to be a certain
perspective of the Savior that is conveniently left out of the picture.
Often times Jesus is depicted as an innocent little baby, lying helpless
in a manger, representing a child-like peacefulness to those gazing upon
Him; a very non-threatening appearance. But few realize that our Savior
made some surprising comments about His mission on earth!
Luke 12:51, "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell
you, Nay; but rather division:"
Matthew 10:34, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came
not to send peace, but a sword."
Ladies, one thing this world must realize is that there is no middle ground
with Jesus Christ! It's not that the Son of God was trying to repel people
with the gospel, His ministry was simply telling the truth. Naturally,
division can arise when we take a stand for truth. Thus, the line is drawn
between the seekers of Christ and the rejecters...
John 7:12, "And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him:
for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the
people."
John 7:43, "So there was a division among the people because of him."
Christmas can be a happy, festive time, but it can also be a time when
division is highly evident between various people and even family members.
Clashes over beliefs occur regularly in all relationships. How has Jesus
created division in your family? Are there any ways that you have been
putting human relationships before your relationship with Christ? You
cannot create peace with folk who are not interested in the Savior! Instead
of accepting His invitation, they are bent on arguing with God. There
is no neutrality possible in relationship to spiritual things...
Matthew 12:30, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth
not with me scattereth abroad."
Luke 16:13, "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate
the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise
the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Jesus stated clearly that He came NOT to send peace - people have worked
hard to create enough of that for themselves! They have padded themselves.
Christ came to send a sword - to cut through that padding. That sword
is extremely sharp and powerful - it cuts to the very root of things.
Many people today are happy without God in their world. They don't mind
viewing Christ as an innocent baby in a manger - until they realize He
carries a sword! For example, the work on our new log cabin church is
almost complete. We hope to be in within the next few weeks, praise the
Lord! Many people will visit our church because it is new and it is novel;
the thought of worshipping God in a log cabin church no doubt creates
"warm & fuzzies" for some folk. But I'm anxious to see how many will return
and even stay once they realize the preaching is very direct! You see
ladies, the Word shows the sinner what is in his heart. Most people won't
stand for that which pinpoints their sin; they refuse to yield to the
Word. That's how you determine who is a supporter of Christ and who is
an opposer. Yes, the truth stabs at the core of our peace... God's Word
slices straight through every form of peace that is not based on a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ!
Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper
than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul
and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts
and intents of the heart."
Ladies, if you've been born-again, you too, have been born with a sword.
You better be prepared to carry it... Your heavenly Father expects you
to stand for the same truth His Son lived and died for! Are your interests
divided? Have you been trying to compromise the gospel of Christ in order
to have peace with everyone and escape conflict? You might be at peace
with people, but then you'd be at war with God and yourself! How about
that particular individual it has been hard for you to stand for the truth
before? Are you willing to be divided from that close friend or loved
one for the sake of Christ? Here are the requirements Christ makes of
those who follow Him - perhaps you think them a bit too cutting as well...
Matthew 10:37-39, "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 after 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."
In closing, spiritual conflict is inevitable in this life. When people
accept Christ and all that pertains to Him, He sends His perfect peace.
For those who refuse Him, however, the result is a sword. Don't let this
truth about Christ's mission surprise you! Let it change you...
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
