The Bible describes Jesus as the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). This is certainly true, but we must understand that His peace is not the same peace that men often desire and pursue today. The peace Jesus came to bring was reconciliation between man and God (Ephesians 2:13-18). He dealt with the issue that was the cause of the enmity – sin (Isaiah 59:1-2). The peace of Christ is not the tolerant, non-judgmental attitude that has overtaken the religious world.
In His mission to bring about peace between man and God, Jesus was rejected by the people and crucified (Isaiah 53:3; Acts 2:22-23). Therefore, it is only natural to think that His followers would be despised by the world. In fact, Jesus warned His disciples of this:
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).
Jesus did not come to establish a utopian paradise on the earth where all men would live in peace and harmony. He came to bring men back into fellowship with God. Our choice is simple – to be a friend of God or be a friend of the world. We cannot choose both (James 4:4).
Jesus also said that because of Him we might also experience conflicts – not peace – with those who are closest to us:
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household” (Matthew 10:34-36).
Those are the words of the “Prince of Peace.” If we wish to follow Christ, we may not be able to go along and get along with even members of our own family. We must decide what is truly important to us. Jesus said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37).
The Cause of Division
Why will we experience division and derision for following Christ? Jesus said He “did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). It is this sword that can divide families. What is the sword of Christ?
In the book of Revelation, symbolic language was used to describe Jesus as having “a sharp two-edged sword” that came “out of His mouth” (Revelation 1:16). It was said to have come from His mouth because it symbolizes His words. Paul talked about “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). The Hebrew writer said, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The sword of Christ that leads to division is the word of God.
How is it that the word of God causes division? It is not because of any deficiency in the word. If people accepted the word, there would be unity (John 17:20-21). Rather it is because many will reject the word.
Remember, Jesus warned that there would be division because of Him. We can see why there is division – because people reject His word. Jesus’ mission was to allow us to have peace with God – not necessarily with man. So if we wish to be followers of Christ, we must strive to be faithful to Him in all things, not compromise the truth in order to get along with others. This may not always be easy. We may have strife with those to whom we are closest in this life (Matthew 10:35-36).
We must take up “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). This sword, the word of God, is the instrument we use in our service to Christ. We use it as the basis for our beliefs and practices. It is also what we use in teaching others. Those who go down the path of compromise, in trying to be able to get along with those who do not or will not follow the Lord’s instructions, have laid down their sword and given up the fight. Instead of this, we must “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12) no matter what the cost will be.
The Instrument of Peace
What is interesting is that the same thing that is the cause of division – the word of God – is also the instrument of peace. The same passage that described God’s word as “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17) also called it “the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). In one sense, Jesus came with a sword (Matthew 10:34). In another sense, “He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:17).
The word of God can bring either division or peace. Which one will depend on how it is received. For those who accept God’s word, it brings peace to them – peace with God and with those who also accept His word. When people reject God’s word, there will be division. They will remain divided from God. They will also be divided from those who are true disciples. I say true disciples because Jesus said the true disciples would “continue in [His] word” (John 8:31) rather than compromise in order to get along.
Will you choose to compromise in order to get along with family, friends, and others who are not following God as He wills? Or will you choose to be a true disciple, following all that God has said and seeking to lead people to the peace of God?
