Peace and the Sword
Matthew 10:34-36
Peace and the sword are the opposite extremes of the effects of the kingdom of God. For Christ to say that He has come to bring a sword is a frightening consideration for us. However, the reality is that when the believer commits his life to Christ, he does receive peace from God, and the sword is from those whose life is intimidated when you become a Christian and forsake the life you once lived with unsaved loved ones. Bringing you peace brings out the sword.
Believers will be treated like enemies. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In these days there will be a deep division between the true followers of Jesus and the rest of the world, and that division will continue until Jesus comes again. One’s faith may result in being ostracized by one’s former friends and even members of one’s own family. “A man’s foes shall be they of his own household” (v. 36). The cause of the division and conflict is not the righteousness of the believer but the unrighteousness of the unbeliever. The believer’s life provides a contrast that makes the unbeliever uncomfortable, intimidated, and exposed. All the changes in a true believer’s life expose all the changes that need to be in the unbeliever’s life. If the unbeliever wants to continue in his sin, he must somehow belittle the faith of the believer. Showing some fault in the believer causes the unbeliever to point and cry “hypocrite” and feel justified to do so.
Because the word “hypocrite” means “to wear a mask”, or to appear to be a person different from the one you truly are, they are saying you are not really a Christian. You are just claiming to be, but in reality you are no better than they are. Listen to some of their words, “You are no better than I am.” or “You think you are better than me.” or “Are you too good for us now?”
It is not that you think these things, but that they feel them, because the Holy Spirit is exposing their sin and your life intimidates them with the daily reminder. That is where the war begins and the sword comes out. They must tear down the effect of your influence, or deal with their sins. When one wants to do what the Bible declares to be sin, one must either obey the Holy Spirit or try to stop the effect of His presence. Because they do not know nor understand the Holy Spirit, nor the Christ which He presents, they attack the one who seems to be the source of their bad feelings–you, the believer in their life. So, Yes! The enemies you face when you become a Christian may also be members of your own household, or your closest friends.
Matthew 10:37-38 explain why this is so. Implying that some of the so-called believers are not truly saved and are indeed hypocrites, he says frankly that you “are not worthy of me.” The phrase, “not worthy of me” means, “does not belong to Me and does not deserve to be Mine.” Those who call themselves Christians but who live for this world and are cold, indifferent, and inactive are not Christians at all. They are play-acting, simply wearing a Christian mask. Satan will expose the sins, weaknesses, faults of every believer he can. Doing so will keep many from ever considering their sins and the need for forgiveness and salvation. Continue to be a faithful and true believer, no matter what they say, for your friends, your household, are all watching you.