Jesus, Peace Bringer?

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

Matthew 10:34 (NIV)

This verse, and others like it, need to be considered when one is considering repentance, turning their lives around for the Lord. As important as it is to repent, we are in the last days, it is important to weigh all of the consequences when making such an important decision. If the message is one of peace and love, think again because it is not all fluffy clouds and rose pedals, as some would have you believe.

First of all, consider the downside of not repenting, an eternity of absence from God’s presence. Jesus describes the future of those who do not repent as one being away from him, “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all of the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.” (Luke 13:28, NIV) He goes on to say that “those who are last…will be first, and first who will be last.” (Luke 13:30, NIV) The ones who are last here on earth, the servants of God, will be first in the kingdom of heaven.

“Those who are last…will be first, and first who will be last.”

Luke 13:30, NIV

If you are willing to be a part of that, you must accept the truth that life on earth will not be an easy road. Jesus said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law —
a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.'”

(Matthew 10:34-36, NIV)

There will be those within your own family who will turn against you. You see, the peace that Jesus brought was “to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14b, NIV), it wasn’t world peace or national peace, that never comes, but to a specific group of people, his redeemed. The peace that we receive on repentance is a personal, internal peace that is to manifest itself as we “make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14, NIV)

So, you see, it is not an easy task to live the life for Christ after repentance. However, as we bring nothing good to the relationship we can rely on him to cleanse us and provide us with the strength needed to do what he desires us to do. The ultimate reward is an eternity in his presence. Join those who are already looking forward to this time and “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17, NIV)

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Matthew 4:17, NIV