Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. Matthew 10:34-36

Again we see a continual theme with the modern day Church as we analyze scripture, the modern day Lukewarm Christianity of today is not Biblical. Today we have many Churches and many Christians promoting that Jesus is just all about love and acceptance, that Christ will just love you as you are and everybody is a Child of God. All these statements can’t be further from the truth. 

As we look at the words of Jesus “ I didn’t come to send peace on Earth, but a sword” So what is Jesus talking about here? Jesus came to deliver us from our sins, however there is a transformation that takes place when becoming Born Again. Just as Christ had died for our sins, our old self dies with our sins. Just as Christ is Risen defeating sin and death, we are Risen as a new creation in Christ. We don’t stay dead in our sins, we are now alive in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2, Romans 6, John 3)

The sword is to divide the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25), divide the wheat and the tares (Matthew 25), everybody doesn’t go to Heaven, in fact Jesus said very few will actually find the narrow path to Heaven. (Matthew 7) The transformation will cause division among people, among families, among communities, even among countries. The world hates the real Jesus and will hate his sheep (John 10) this is the sword of division, Jesus Christ

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37-38

Jesus paid for our salvation with a major price, you were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20) If you belong to Christ you are no longer of yourself, you belong to Christ. As Jesus said “Anyone who doesn’t take up their cross and follow me, is not worthy of me” Taking up your cross is not an easy walk, it’s a walk full of persecution, mockery, discrimination. Why? Because the world hates the real Jesus and crucified him. Don’t expect to be treated better than your Master, you were bought with a price

So as a Born Again Christian, don’t expect rainbows and butterflies, expect the sword that will divide you , that will set you apart from the evil world (Romans 12:2) This is a battle for your soul, salvation is only found in Jesus Christ alone , Amen!