by Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy
v51Do you suppose that I came to bring peace to the world? No, not peace, but division. v52From now on a family of five will be divided, three against two and two against three. v53Fathers will be against their sons, and sons against their fathers; mothers will be against their daughters, and daughters against their mothers; mothers-in-law will be against their daughters-in-law, and daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law.” Luke 12:51-53
The above verses belong to the contradictions and “hard sayings” of Jesus. For how could he claim to be the Messiah yet at the same time declare that he brings disunity and un-peace which are the opposites of a saving leader? Although Jesus Christ is called the “Prince of Peace”, and truth must always be proclaimed in love, there is a sense in which his coming and the proclamation of the gospel will bring division, and do so intentionally.
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Faith in Christ separates the believer from the sinner and the world. The concept of separation from evil is fundamental in God’s relationship with his people. According to the Bible, separation involves two dimensions – one negative and the other positive respectively: separating yourself morally and spiritually from sin and from everything that is contrary to Jesus Christ, righteousness and God’s Word; drawing near to God in a close and intimate relationship through dedication, worship and service. Separation in this twofold sense results in a relationship where God is our heavenly Father who lives with us and is our God, and we in turn are his sons and daughters.
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The proclamation of God’s Word and its truth will bring opposition and persecution. This has been and still is the bitter pill that every true believer must swallow. Since the time of Christ opposition and persecution have always accompanied every disciple. This is so because the truth that Jesus Christ proclaims and his justice are different from what the prevailing measurement and determinant of society then and even now. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor my ways your ways, says the Lord.” For where could we find in the normal human psyche the love for the enemy that Jesus commands? Yet he commands, ‘But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matt.5:44).
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A life lived according to Christ’s righteous standards will bring ridicule and scorn. Persecution will be the lot of all who seek to live in harmony with God’s Word for the sake of righteousness. Those who uphold God’s standards of truth, justice and purity, and who at the same time refuse to compromise with their evil society or the lifestyle of lukewarm believers, will undergo unpopularity, rejection and criticism. Persecution and opposition will come from the world and at times from those within the professing church. When they experience this suffering, Christians are to rejoice, for those who suffer most God imparts the highest blessing. Christians must beware of the temptation to compromise God’s will in order to avoid shame, embarrassment or loss. The principles of God’s kingdom never change: “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Ti 3:12). Those who suffer and endure persecution because of righteousness are promised the kingdom and heavenly rewards.
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The teaching of Christ about peace and unity must be faithfully held in tension with the truth that he “did not come to bring peace, but a sword”. The unity that Jesus prayed for “…. That all of them may be one…” (John 17:21) was not organizational unity but spiritual unity based on: living in Christ; knowing and experiencing the love of the Father and the fellowship of Christ ; separation from the world; sanctification in truth; receiving and believing the truth of the Word; obedience to the Word; and the desire to bring salvation to the lost. When any one of these factors is missing, the true unity that Jesus prayed for cannot exist.
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In order to have genuine peace Jesus prayed for his disciples and us to “be one”. It is about ongoing action: “continually be one,” a oneness based on our common relationship to the Father and the Son, and on having the same basic attitude toward the world, the Word and the need to reach out to the lost. To attempt to create and artificial unity by meetings, conferences or complex organization can result in a betrayal of the very unity for which Jesus prayed. What Jesus had in mind is much more than cosmetic “unity meetings.” It is a spiritual unity of heart, purpose, mind and will in those who are fully devoted to Christ, the Word and holiness. Then and until then that we can have true unity which result is genuine peace. (cf. Full Life Study Bible, NIV).
Let us pray.
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also and example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ECP-BCP p.135)**
