Articles
The Prince of Peace Brought a Sword
Barbara L. Klika, MSW, Undershepherd, Life Coach
August 2020
Written for Wisconsin Christian Newspaper
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Our God can be so unexpected! He came as a baby when people were hoping for a conquering King. He is returning soon, as that Conquering King, but now many people have gone nostalgic and can only think of Him as that baby in a manger. Messiah said that He came to bring a sword; not the peace in the way people expected. It isn’t a sword as expected either. It is this metaphorical sword described as piercing even to soul and spirit; discerning thoughts and intents of the heart. So, it isn’t a sword of war exactly, but when things are cut to the bone, and laid open, they are exposed.
The Sword of the Word will bring you to peace with Him if you let it. Those things of the heart and mind that are of God will be exposed and the person’s spiritual eternity is assured. Those things that are not of Him, when exposed, will assure their spiritual agony in eternity. So in the way, it is a battle; the battle for love of temporary things or of eternal things in YHWH.
When our hearts, thoughts and intents are laid bare, we find out to whom we cling. The word that reveals this is also said to sanctify.
Sanctify them in the truth; your Word is truth.
John 17:17 ESV
I have often thought of being sanctified as purging out that which is not pure, not of God-honoring intent; and as difficult as it too often is, my focus stopped there. Yet there is really much more to it.
When something is sanctified, it is separated from all around it that is not of the same substance or origin.
That same Word also tells us in Matthew 10 that the separation the Word/Sword brings will also be between family members and households. This seems to be part of the cost of discipleship. Our Love and dedication to our Messiah should never be eclipsed by our love for family, or anything else. That becomes idolatry. This is a hard thing, yet it doesn’t seem to be one of those things in the Word that has “wiggle room.”
It has been hard to imagine that people could be made to turn against their own families. Yes, I acknowledge that abusive people need to be held accountable, but what we are seeing in these days of such chaos doesn’t always seem to be attributable to specific abuse. It is more the combating of ideological positions, and orchestrated efforts to increase division and strife among families and generations, and between people of different ethnic backgrounds or persuasions. So when people become enthralled to positions that promote chaos and anarchy, they are no longer able to communicate in rational ways, and seem to have no trouble vilifying people who disagree with them, even close relatives.
For one example: As was observed to me recently, sadly it seems that there is more concern about “honoring the preferred pronoun” of transgendered people than there is concern about honoring our Elohim. Even within churched peoples, the “importance” of doing what others expect seems to have overshadowed the reality; in this case: that a person IS created of one gender. In effect, asking others to “believe a lie” that they are really something other than what their DNA established. Oh, I know I am whacking the hornet’s nest here, but there it is. His Truth is Truth. Our imaginations are not truth. In the past, it was possible to exercise tolerance: hate the sin but love the sinner. In recent years, that is no longer acceptable with “tolerance” definition effectively being changed to mean “enforced agreement” or else it is “homophobic” or a hate crime. But His Truth never changes.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Ephesians 6:17
Whether we face crowds of people or close family members, who have chosen to oppose the things of God, we really do need to lay hold of the whole armor of our God; not just praying the words, but walking the walk after Him. We need to be prepared to stand in Him, and not be dissuaded to do anything else, even for those in this life that we love. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it was possible to see such animosity but it is playing out now in front of our eyes, even to the grief in our hearts as we can barely recognize some we used to be with in close relationships.
We are warned ahead of time just how bad it will be as we near the time of Messiah’s return.
Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another, and many false prophets will arise and mislead many.…
Matthew 24:9-11
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Matthew 11:6
If we yield to Him, the sword will work for our benefit, bringing us home to Him. But this is not always so simple. Though there is no intent for the things of the Word to be “secretive” it is true that there are depths and truths that cannot be seen with just surface understanding.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
2: Tim 2: 15
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12
Brothers and sisters in Messiah, we are going through a major trial; perhaps the trial of our lifetime. There are many among us in America who have secretly been opposed to the things of our God who now find they have been freed to openly declare their war against the things we hold dear. The divisions we see seem to be insurmountable in some cases because it is no longer possible to reason with too many people.
In the midst of our shock and disappointment when this happens among our families and friends, may we continue steadfast, immersed in His Word, and allowing it to rightly divide our own selves to His Truth, while also recognizing that it will divide us from others; even some of whom we never expected to be at odds. By all means, please do look for the people who are living stones of faith and let yourself be built up together with them into a spiritual house that will help all withstand the challenges we face. Like Messiah before us, for the joy set before us, we stand in Him.
Prince_of_Peace_Brought_a_Sword_Aug_2020_WCN.pdf