If we consider all the turmoil that comes with just observing and living in the world, to hear Jesus Christ say, “I have not come to bring peace on earth but a sword”.  Causes us to consider whether or not we see Christ and Christianity the way Jesus intended…

If you consider your affections towards the things you align yourself to, whether that is your family, heritage, culture, politics, money, etc. You would then have to say that you are separating what you are affection about against what you are not.  In other words because your affections are tied to your family, you will not go and start another one!  You are bringing ” a sword” to the situation and distinguishing what you are investing in and what you are not!

So peace is not the issue when it comes to allegiance and devotion, just ask your spouse (or significant other), or Jesus!  So if our spouse, mother, father, children, or any family is coming between our devotion and allegiance to Christ, the desire for peace is the furthest thing from the mind of God in His desire for faithfulness!  It is also the furthest thing from our own mind if people are to be devoted to us faithfully!

This passage calls for devotion at the expense of offending some very strong affectionate relationships.  But the obvious emerges when other people dominate our life and affections over God, He is not Lord.  So the struggle between affections and emotional ties to things that are good, but are not in Christ will create problems eventually.  Our divided affections are like having “divided lovers”, neither are satisfied with sharing. One of them will be pushed aside eventually…

In His Love, Ld