When God Says …
“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” (Luke 12:51-53 KJV).
These verses provide insights in regard with division, grace, and the cost of following Christ Jesus our Lord. The "division" is not the purpose the Lord Jesus came. It is the world’s consequential reaction of the gospel's impact, as the "sword of truth” that sets apart from error those who believe from those who do not, and those who are in the light from those who are in the dark.
These forewarn that following the Lord Jesus Christ can lead to conflict, even among the five closest family members (the father, the mother, the son, the daughter and the daughter-in-law) when some accept the truth and others reject it. Salvation is by grace in Christ Jesus. Yet. following Him can bring resistance, particularly when one stands firm in faith. Sinful humanity’s arrogance is so strong to resist God’s offering of unmerited favor. That’s the same attitude the Israelites’ displayed in rejecting the Lord’s grace to do things by their own self effort, while the Lord was rescuing them from bondage in Egypt.
In spite of what the Lord has done by His grace; He took them out of Egypt, loaded with plunders that the Egyptians gave them (Exodus 12:36). None of them were feeble as they journey through the desert. They were feed by God, protected with pillars of cloud during the day and pillars of fire during the night (Exodus 13:21-22). They murmured and complained, yet by His grace none died. God’s provision of grace is available to all who are in His presence. But, at the foot of Mt Sinai they rejected His grace. They arrogantly say: “all that the Lord has spoken we will do.” (Exodus 19:8).
Hence, it is no surprise that even those who say they believe in God reject the message of grace in Christ Jesus. The more so it is with the unbelieving world. Our Lord Jesus warns us with assurance being children of God by grace through faith in Him. It is written: “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:21-22 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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