SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1228

“Division”

Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” – Luke 12:51-53

Have you ever read God’s Word and were left scratching your head wondering what Jesus meant? Our reference Scripture is one such verse. We wonder how the Prince of Peace whose birth we just celebrated at Christmas can say that He came to bring division and not peace.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

Digging deeper we see that the Greek word translated, ’peace’ in Luke 12 is ‘eirene’ which means unity and wholeness. Contrast this with the Hebrew word for peace in Isaiah 9:6, ‘shalom’ which implies calmness and serenity. Jesus did not come to unite and make the world whole. He came with the absolutes and uncompromising Truths of holiness which brings division to a fallen, sinful world.

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. –  Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV)

Division happens at the gate of choice to accept Jesus Christ or not. This division occurs in families, societies, and yes, even in Christian Churches at the denominational and local levels. When we choose to repent and uncompromisingly accept the Truth of the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ we turn away from the sinful ways of the world and the flesh and seek to walk the narrow path of Jesus. We remain in the world, but no longer of the world.

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. – John 17:14-17

Christians have experienced the hate of the world since the time of Christ. In more recent times we saw this hate played out during the pandemic when churches were banned from congregating for worship and singing having been deemed ‘non-essential’ while casinos, liquor stores, and abortion clinics were considered essential.

In a world society increasingly embracing the woke ideology of inclusivity, Christians are being marginalized because of the uncompromising Truth of God’s Word. Being sanctified in the Truth of God’s Word means to be separated and set apart from a world seeking to embrace the wide path to destruction.

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you… – John 15:18-20

Jesus never promised us a life of ease in this world. He did promise however that He would never abandon us.

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

There will be the final division in the last days where the wheat will be separated out from the weeds of the world that refused to accept God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus.

His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” – Matthew 3:12

Jesus’ prayer was that the Father not take us out of the world. He desires that we occupy until He returns. We are to be salt and light in this dark world showing the lost the way to eternal life through Him. He promises us His peace and protection in the midst of the trials, hatred, and persecution that we are faced with because the world in the grip of Satan hates Him.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – John 14:27