PEACE ON EARTH?
Luke 12:49-53
"I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; for henceforth 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 her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
There is only one division that should concern the 'Church' and that is the division between herself and the world. This division takes place automatically and without planning. When one becomes a born-again child of God, the spirit of the world in everyone else scorns the believer. We tend to misunderstand the verses in Luke 2:14 and delegate these words to the Christmas songs' rendition - which is not the correct interpretation at all.
Here is the verse: LK 2:14,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased."
It does not read as the Christmas song emplies which says, "Peace on earth goodwill to men..."
To be a born-again Child of the living God, will not bring peace among men but a sword and division. The only peace among men will be between true believers and the peace one has as a true Child of God with the Father.
A lot of the confusion comes in when a person that is 'supposed' to be one of 'Church' doesn't act like it and therefore 'blends' in with the world; the world in turn does not feel one way or another about this person that claims they are a 'Christian' because there is no difference between them. The person of the world, is forever and always comfortable in the presence of a 'worldly christian' there is no offense, no barrier, because the 'christian' can talk about a variety of subjects and enjoy the same activities that the non-Christian enjoys, no problem.
Therefore, peace among men.
The person that says they are a Child of God, but does not offend anyone by their lifestyle, testimony, or commitment to the Word of God, is one that is well liked because they are always doing nice things or smiling or a host of other things that are never offensive and therefore they are preceived to be, the epitome of the 'Christian' faith. That is why the false teachers and prophets get along so well, they are always smiling (which no one is against here) they would never frown or get too serious - no - that does not bring in the money or get people to feeling like ordering something from them!
How does all this line up with what Jesus said would happen if one believed on Him and His Words? It's plain, it does not!
Christianity causes division; the trouble is the division today is basically manifested in doctrinal differences, but - this is not the division the Lord was speaking of.
Living and standing for the truth of God's Word will cause division. Becoming truly born-again, will cause division. Paul says in
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 'Do not be mismated with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols?
For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,'
"I will live in them and move among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
Therefore come out from them,
and be separate from them, says
the Lord,
and touch nothing unclean;
then I will welcome you,
and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and
daughters,
says the Lord Almighty."
Just 'who' was Paul talking about in these verses? The Christians, for those that believe and are now Children of God. Be not unequally yoked with.....what fellowship has light with darkness....what agreement has the temple of God with idols?
Does it not sound like there would be, should be, somewhat of a division between the Christian, which is a follower of Christ and the spiritual undiscerning?
How is it then that so few feel the separation and the animosity of the world when they claim to be a "Christian" but rather, blend in? And not only, blend in, but 'do whatever it takes' to blend in as to not 'offend' the world?
There are actually churches today, and whole denominations, that propagate the fact that in order to 'win the world to Jesus we have to make them comfortable and let them see we are just like them.'
I ask you, does that sound like the 'division' that would occur if one believed in Christ?
Why is it one can claim to be a follower or a disciple of Christ's and no one is offended? As a matter of fact, if there is a 'play' or 'southern singing group' or 'pizza for Jesus' day....the world shows up and laughs and participates as if this were 'just one more form of entertainment' ?
There have been many, too numerous to count, that have lost everything and everyone from their former life for the sake of Christ; yes, even here in the United States of America.
When one does not 'water' down their theology or blend into society so as to not 'offend'- one is separated - because the 'unbeliever' will automatically separate themselves from the believer. The believer does not talk, dress, or act like the world.
Let's take the matter of dress for an example. Are Christians suppose to wear different clothes than the unbeliever? In some cases, yes! I have seen in what is called church today, apparel that should be offensive to a Christian. Common sense and decency would dictate that it is inappropriate for some clothing to be worn when coming into the presence of a distinquished person, how much more a Holy God? Should this only pertain to a church building? No, a real Christian would not dress the way some 'christians' do today...
(Little 'c' because I am hard pressed to believe the 'Holy Spirit' would not convict inappropriate dressing sooner or later in their 'Christian' walk.)
That's the whole point - Holiness, becoming a person 'in Christ.' In everything one does, not just some things.
Separation from the world - the world separating itself from a Christian.
Do I advocate hiding in a cave? It may come to that. Some may scorn and laugh, but have you noticed the wickedness that abounds no matter where you go? We are told to be salt and light and that is very correct, but you do not 'blend' in.
Separate ourselves from friends? Well, if your worldly friends do not feel a little uncomfortable with you, who is having an impact on whose life there? Or - are you a Christian?
The separation I am speaking about comes naturally. If you are a Christian, the Spirit in you is at enmity with the spirit of the world that is in EVERYONE else. Believe it or not some will hate you without a cause just like they did Jesus. What a comfort to know. So when this happens and you cannot pinpoint anything you, did particularly, then just know the spirit in them, knows very well the Spirit that dwells in you.
Today we tend to think of Christianity as one would joining a social club or a society. It is 'just one more' choice an individual made somewhere along the way of what they 'liked to do' or 'believe in', after all, live and let live. And so, it's a wonder no one separates themselves from 'christians' when they continue to 'act' like the above is the case.
A Christian is a new person, not someone that has picked that set of beliefs to adhere to. No, that's denominationalism - that's manmade religion; not a Christian. A real Christian will have the mind of Christ and not be happy acting like, and looking like, and blending in with the world and it's criteria of 'normal'.
The world is powerless that's one way to know the difference. Always, 'wondering' where God is, never knowing He hears them, no vital on-going relationship with the Savior....just a form of religion but denying the power that only comes from a life that is obedient to God.
Separation, yes! It comes to a Christian and in these last days it will come hard and fast. The contrast will be sharper, for to blend in will take blasphemy.
We live in a day and age of 'tolerance' and everyone is entitled to their 'opinion.' When it comes to Christianity there is no room for opinions, it is God's Word and He can lead into all truth and He will and He does. Those that stand on that truth and know their God will cause the division as Christ stated in the above verses. If you find you are not blending in and feel like there is something wrong with you and you are trying to please the Lord and do His Will, and understand His Word in order to be His disciple, just know you are not alone and Jesus plainly said the separation would come, not may be happen, but would happen.
Stand firm in your convictions for there is a fellowship of believers here and in heaven.
John 15:18-20a "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 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......"
MKL
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