Questions for thoughtful Christians No. 1

[StephenC]

Questions for thoughtful Christians No. 1

Jesus says unequivocally and unconditionally that he came not to bring peace but a sword. He says not to think he came to bring peace; he did not, but rather to set family members against each other so that a man's foes will be the members of his household.

What is the meaning of Matthew 10:34-36? I understand the next verses: we are not to put love of family ahead of love of God. Yet how can this passage ((34-36) be reconciled with "Love God with all your heart and your neighbour as yourself" and "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" and with Jesus' refusal to allow attack even in his defence? (Matthew 26:51)?

 

[jeffsi435]

Questions for thoughtful Christians No. 1

Jesus says unequivocally and unconditionally that he came not to bring peace but a sword. He says not to think he came to bring peace; he did not, but rather to set family members against each other so that a man's foes will be the members of his household.

What is the meaning of Matthew 10:34-36? I understand the next verses: we are not to put love of family ahead of love of God. Yet how can this passage ((34-36) be reconciled with "Love God with all your heart and your neighbour as yourself" and "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" and with Jesus' refusal to allow attack even in his defence? (Matthew 26:51)?

In verse 34-36, Jesus is telling the disciples that the gospel will cause conflict even within the home. that is because not everyone will accept the gospel. some will and some will not and that will cause some conflict even in the home. Because the values of the believer will be different than those of the world.
In terms of Matthew 26:51, Jesus was encouraging the disciples not to hinder him from going to the cross, so that he could do his Father's will.
Seem totally unrelated to me. . .

 

[StephenC]

Questions for thoughtful Christians No 1

First, you are saying that someone accepts Christ can expect conflict within the home.

Second, Jesus said "I came to bring not peace but a sword. Don't even think I came to bring peace. I did not"

These are the words of Jesus in the Bible.

Accept Jesus and you will have more conflict in your life and your life will be ruled by the sword. That's what he's saying.

 

[Strypes]

First, you are saying that someone accepts Christ can expect conflict within the home.

Second, Jesus said "I came to bring not peace but a sword. Don't even think I came to bring peace. I did not"

These are the words of Jesus in the Bible.

Accept Jesus and you will have more conflict in your life and your life will be ruled by the sword. That's what he's saying.

The sword is the word of God.

You seem to not understand that. Keep reading and ask the Holy Spirit to help you and you will find understanding.

Ephesians 6:17
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

 

[StephenC]

Questions for thoughtful Christians

"I came to bring not peace but a sword" contrasts the state of peace with the sword he's talking about, so it can't be the sword of the Spirit. I'm looking at what the Bible actually says. "I came to bring not peace."

 

[HappySoul]

How can Jesus leave us peace, but also say he came not to bring peace?

 

[Strypes]

How can Jesus leave us peace, but also say he came not to bring peace?

excellent!



He did not come to bring political peace, Jesus' mission was not to be the political messiah that the Jews wanted to free them from the rule of rome.

The peace of God comes with knowing Jesus as savior. Individual peace

 

[jiggyfly]

The sword is the word of God.

You seem to not understand that. Keep reading and ask the Holy Spirit to help you and you will find understanding.

When you say "word of God" are you referring to the scriptures or the bible?

 

[Maureen]

that Peace that passes all understanding. Thats not a worlds idea of peace but true followers of the Saviour.

 

[Strypes]

When you say "word of God" are you referring to the scriptures or the bible?

Ephesians 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

 

[jiggyfly]

Ephesians 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

So is that a yes?

 

[Strypes]

So is that a yes?

They are scriptures from the bible.

 

[hischildaswell]

1st-Find a GOOD church

In the garden where he would not allow self defence, three times just in CH 26 it was said that scripture be fulfilled. In Luke 22:36 He says to buy a sword. 2Tim 2:15 rightly dividing the truth. Doctrine is establish in the right dividing of Gods word. Isiah 28:10&13

 

[april showers]

Questions for thoughtful Christians No. 1

Jesus says unequivocally and unconditionally that he came not to bring peace but a sword. He says not to think he came to bring peace; he did not, but rather to set family members against each other so that a man's foes will be the members of his household.

What is the meaning of Matthew 10:34-36? I understand the next verses: we are not to put love of family ahead of love of God. Yet how can this passage ((34-36) be reconciled with "Love God with all your heart and your neighbour as yourself" and "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" and with Jesus' refusal to allow attack even in his defence? (Matthew 26:51)?

If you grew up in a Jewish household, you might understand. But even if you are a Gentile, I think the main point is that when someone is called by God, it poses a conflict to their relatives who do not have the same calling. God puts a sword between us and our relatives because He wants no competing relationships in our lives: He wants to be number 1 in our hearts.

When I became a believer, I no longer wanted to do the things that my friends and family were doing. Broadway shows and NY culture no longer interested me. My sister told me I became boring. My family lost me, in a sense, and they resented that. I no longer could hang around with my old crowd of friends because their activities were a waste of time for me. I had no family anymore and no friends. But there was no going back. I had Jesus, and even if I had no one else, there was no choice but to follow Him alone if need be.

God may make everyone you know an enemy to you so that He alone is exalted in your life and is the only one you worship. This may sound extreme, but it depends on the calling that God has on your life. He is a jealous God and will settle for nothing less than your entire devotion.

 

[Snowrose]

Greeting dear friends,

Below is an exerpt from "Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible" that I found and I hope that this may help answer your question:

Think not ye that I am come to send peace on earth,.... The Jews had a notion of great outward peace and prosperity in the days of the Messiah; which was grounded on several prophecies of the Old Testament, not rightly understood by them; and the disciples of Christ had imbibed the same notion: wherefore our Lord thought fit to let them know the contrary; and that they must not expect outward ease and quiet, and worldly tranquillity would attend their ministry; for though he came to be a peace maker between God and sinners, by the blood of his cross; and was both the author and donor of spiritual peace to his people; and the Gospel he brought with him, and sent them to preach, was the Gospel of peace; which, accompanied with his power, would produce peace in the consciences of men, and be the means of cultivating and maintaining peace among the saints; yet "peace on earth" in a temporal sense, whether in the world in general, or in Judea in particular, must not be expected as the consequence of his coming; so far from it, that he subjoins,

I came, not to send peace, but a sword. By the "sword" may be meant the Gospel, which is the means of dividing and separating the people of Christ from the men of the world, and from their principles and practices, and one relation from another; as also of divisions, discords, and persecutions arising from it: not that it was the intention and design of Christ, in coming into the world, to foment and encourage such things; but this, through the malice and wickedness of men, was eventually the effect and consequence of his coming; see Luke 12:51 where, instead of a "sword", it is "division"; because the sword divides asunder, as does the sword of the Spirit, the word of God

So from what I get from this is that "God's word" is a dividing sword that penetrates the soul and spirit and because our will usually goes against God's, offense can take root bring division, discords and persecutions. I am thankful that "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:11-13) My heart's desire is that the church will see God's truth and accept it in its fullness. Hope this brings some clarity.

Blessings,
Snowrose

 

[jiggyfly]

They are scriptures from the bible.

I am having trouble making sense of your interpretation here.

You said; "The sword is the word of God. You seem to not understand that. Keep reading and ask the Holy Spirit to help you and you will find understanding."

Do you think that Jesus brought us the scriptures when He came in the flesh?

 

[Strypes]

I am having trouble making sense of your interpretation here.

You said; "The sword is the word of God. You seem to not understand that. Keep reading and ask the Holy Spirit to help you and you will find understanding."

Do you think that Jesus brought us the scriptures when He came in the flesh?

He fullfilled the hebrew scriptures and gave us His words and the Holy Spirit who brings them to our rememberance and opens them to our understanding.