Printer-friendly version

During the Christmas season, the phrase “Peace on Earth” is sometimes displayed. It is probably taken from what the angels said to the shepherds when telling them about the birth of Christ.

But there’s also a flip-side to this. Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” He’s telling us that His gospel is going to bring division. It’s not going to unite the people of the world, but instead create a clear division. He goes on to explain it. “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

The gospel of Christ is going to offend people. It’s going to create persecution. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” It’s going to mean that people are set against us. It’s going to make our lives tougher.

But Christ’s peace is present in tribulation. “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.” We expect peace to mean no tribulation, but Christ says His peace is present in tribulation. When we suffer, His peace is present. Peace is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit! We can’t serve God on our own; neither can we have peace on our own. The best peace we can manufacture disintegrates under enough pressure. God has to provide us with peace, and the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, giving us peace in the midst of tribulation, giving us strength to meet each trial and difficulty.