Matthew 10:34 – 39 ESV Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
We are at war! War means struggle and strife. War entails sacrifice. Too many American Christians want to ignore this reality. They seem to assume that God owes them serenity and ease as payment for calling Him Lord. I tend to question what version of the Bible some people read. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that Christians are going to live a happy, comfortable, peaceful life. Quite the opposite, the Bible promises trouble and fighting (John 16:33).
The Bible likens Christians to soldiers (2 Timothy 2:3-4) and says we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). That is because all Christians are not only citizens of the kingdom of Heaven but part of its military. More specifically we are an invasion force. The world is part of the devil’s kingdom. We are the invaders advancing God’s kingdom one soul at a time.
Too many Christians act as if they are in a fortress just trying to hold off the enemy horde until Jesus returns. But the Bible tells us that the “gates of hell will not prevail against us” (Matthew 16:18). Gates are defensive not offensive. We are not called to live defensively just trying to hold on but rather we are to be on the offensive and smash the devil’s gates and plunder his kingdom.
It is true that the devil and his minions attack us. That is to be expected. When one army invades the defenders will counter-attack. We should not be standing around fearfully praying against such attacks. We should be taking the fight to the enemy so that the battles are fought on God’s terms not the devil’s.
Jesus says in the passage above the He did not come to bring peace but war. Now, in the midst of the war we can have inner peace. We SHOULD have inner peace but we are not allowed to make peace with the world. We are required to choose sides and we are required to take our place in the battle lines. Failure to do so is considered treason. Jesus clearly says that anyone who tries to make peace with the world is not worthy of Him.
I do want to be clear that taking the offensive does not mean we should be offensive. Our fight is not against people but in the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6:12). Towards people we should be loving and compassionate, even towards those who hate us, what we stand for, and Who we serve.
Soldiers are expected to be loyal to their country and their commander. They are expected to put duty above self. Christians should be loyal to our King and His kingdom. Our highest priority needs to be building a relationship with God and advancing His kingdom as He directs us. When we do that we will have eternal life.
Sovereign God, You are my King and my Lord! Grant me the courage, strength, and ability to faithfully serve You and live victoriously.