Fight For Jesus
"Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division." -- Luke 12:51
"Do not suppose that I come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." -- Matthew 10:34
Well, yes, actually I did. Until Pastor Bob pointed this out a couple of weeks ago. Talk about shattered illusions. All this time I've thought "Prince of Peace." How many times have I read these passages and just kind of glossed over the truth of Jesus' words. No wonder I get confused. I'm trying to mesh what I think I know with what the Bible actually says. And sometimes the two just don't jive.
This peace Jesus is talking about is different from the peace we feel inside when Jesus lives within us. That peace allows us to handle anything that comes our way because He strengthens us. It is defined in the dictionary as a quiet calm. Think peace of mind.
In these passages, Jesus refers to peace among people who believe and those who don't. That includes family members, neighbors and co-workers. You know. The people you want to get along with because you see them most days. Except there's no room for compromise when it comes to Jesus. Either you believe or you don't. Either you accept His gift of salvation or you don't. It's not rocket science but it is an either/or thing.
It's what Beth Moore refers to as a "spine issue." It's the John 3:16 of christianity. Most of us who call ourselves Christians can agree on that. It's all the little details that really don't matter when it comes to who's in and who's out in the kingdom that we get all upset about. Like how someone is baptized or whether you've got to publicly confess your sins or keep it between you and God. Some swear the Bible says women should never teach men in church while others say that's not what Paul meant at all.A few conservative denominations say no one should drink alcohol, even though that's not even in the Bible and is merely their interpretation. I could go on and on. The point is none of those issues matter in the end. God looks to our hearts to see if we have truly accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
The thing is we get so caught up in bickering among ourselves that we aren't paying attention when others -- those who don't accept Jesus as the One and Only -- try to force their views on us. As Christians, we want to get along with everyone. It's that whole love thing. We want to do good to our enemies. We want to be reasonable and rationalize the thoughts and actions of those who disagree with us. But we can't stay silent when it comes to Jesus. We can't let unbelievers take over without giving God's voice a loud opportunity to reach those who haven't heard the Good News. We can't allow ourselves to settle into peace when we need to fight for Jesus.
Silence is no longer an option. Our world is being inundated with the views of those who deny Jesus. It's not okay. Sure. People can believe what they want. God gave us free will. But that doesn't mean they have the right to stomp all over Christian views and Christian rights. It doesn't make it okay to pronounce death sentences on Christians or demand that we silence our beliefs while they receive "minority" rights.
Jesus didn't call us to remain peacefully quiet while the world around us caves in to evil forces. This is the only life we'll spend on this earth. We should use it fighting for Jesus. It's the least we can do after all He's done for us.
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