Matthew 10:34-36-NIV
"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.'
There are so many examples we can use in our world to demonstrate Jesus’ point in the passage above. Each of us can probably think of situations where members of our families and friends have shunned us for our faith in Jesus Christ. We live in a society that no longer appreciates absolute ideas or convictions. The word compromise, acceptance and fluid ideas are embraced more as the norm.
Jesus, knowing all things, is warning us about the cost of following him because there is no grey line or fluid ideas when it comes to God’s commands and expectations (Mathew 16:24-26, Luke 14:26-27). For example, think of the word marriage. According to God, marriage is between a man and a woman. Jesus clearly reminded us in Mark 10:6-9 that God created male and female and that is the union he approves. Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 1: 18-28 tells us about the mastermind behind the delusion of homosexual relationships and where their destination will be if they do not repent. In Leviticus 20:13 God’s instruction was to put to death those who practice such a lifestyle. Hopefully this example gives you a picture of what Jesus meant in the passage above. How is your conviction about the commands of God? Where in your life are you compromising the Word of God for the sake of society’s definition of unity/peace?
