““Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. “For I  came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;” (Matthew 10:34–35, NASB95)

The preaching of the gospel creates conflict in an ungodly society, especially among family members. At first, gospel-initiated conflict seems counter-intuitive, in that God desires all men to be saved, and the gospel delivered as a universal gift of grace that should unify. The problem lies in man’s worldly personal preferences and passions that drive him away from God. Devotion to anything or anyone other than Jesus is unacceptable in the kingdom of God. The first commandment of God in the Pentateuch is “no other gods.” Anyone being led by sinful desires keeps people entrapped and separate from God. This kind of life is lived in a constant state of conflict.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace and brings peace on earth, not the kind of peace between people but with God. Jesus didn’t sacrifice His life to solve your relational conflicts but restored you to a right relationship with God. Many people lean into Luke 2:14, in the King James Version, “peace on earth, goodwill to men,” understanding that Jesus came to create a utopia on earth. Universal peace between all of mankind is not the focus of Jesus’ ministry. The secular view of a path to universal peace on earth requires the removal of all conflict on earth. This kind of secular peace requires complete acceptance of everything people do and think, regardless of what it is. The world’s slogan is, “who am I to judge, let’s all just accept one another for who they are.” The gospel does not accept a person for who they naturally are because all mankind by nature is a sinner separated from God.

The preaching of the gospel brings truth and light into an ungodly world, revealing the sin of the world. The preaching of the gospel tells people that their practice and lifestyle are sinful and sin has entrapped them in spiritual bondage. Some of the hardest people to reach are family because when you share the gospel with family, they feel judged by the preacher, not realizing they are condemned already. You are helping them to realize their condemnation so they can be saved.

It is imperative that Christ followers continue to preach the truth of the gospel, with love and without compromise, knowing that preaching the gospel will offend some and save others. If you really love someone, preach Jesus.

In His Service,
Pastor Cary