The Sword of Truth

We know God is all about peace. Jesus is named ‘the Prince of peace’. When He was born the angels sang: “peace to all men!” Jesus taught His followers to be peacemakers. Peace descends when the Spirit of God fills our hearts. So why then did Jesus say He did not come to bring peace, but a sword?

In Hebrews 4:12 it says that the word of God is sharper than any earthly sword. It cuts, it separates, it divides, it exposes the thoughts of the heart. When Jesus speaks, He speaks God’s words. God’s word is truth. And while He always speaks with love and compassion, truth also has a certain unyielding quality. Truth just will not bend. It makes exceptions for no-one. In fact, truth sometimes massively inconveniences us!

Let’s be honest. It’s not always easy to hear the truth. We just don’t like it. It exposes us as sinners. It compels us to change. It certainly burst any bubbles that we are good people. It convicts us and destroys the idea that we can help ourselves. It leaves no room for personal pride. It’s God’s truth that brings us to our knees and leads us to call out to our Saviour.

When truth is proclaimed in power, it divides people. People who previously sat on the fence, will now have to make a choice: left or right, holiness or sin, God’s way or my own. So even though Jesus loves all, when He speaks, it divides people. Some will follow Him, but others won’t. Sadly, the words of Jesus can even divide friends and family members. This is not because God doesn’t love peace, but because sometimes people prefer darkness over light.

I think Jesus forewarned us because He knew it isn’t easy for us to follow Him when others, especially those we love, choose not to. Following Jesus might cost us everything. We may even have to forego precious relationships on earth in favour of staying close to our Friend in heaven. This causes us emotional turmoil and pain. We really need His help in staying the course.

Many aspects of the Bible are highly contentious and cause division - the deity of Jesus being hot button issue number one. God’s covenant promises to Israel being another. Sanctity of life and sexual morality being yet other hotly contested battlegrounds. It is not easy for us to remain faithful to the words of God, especially when it means potentially losing precious relationships over them.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that some won’t be saved because they “did not receive a love of the truth”. My prayer is that we will have that love for the truth. Because in loving truth, we love Him who is ‘The Truth’, Jesus Christ. No-one likes losing relationships, but nothing could be worse than losing Him.