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Articles
Set at Variance
In Luke12:51-54 we read, "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."Again Jesus teaches us in Matthew 10:34-37, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 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." Jesus teaches us a very important concept in these passages.
When it comes to serving the Lord there are times that issues of truth will be at stake and that we must be willing to stand with Jesus. Households have been divided over the teachings of Jesus. Think in the first century when Jews were sometimes converted to Christ and their proud unbelieving relatives would disown them. Yes, a man's "foes" (or "enemies" NAS) would be those of his own household. Families torn asunder because of the Lord's teachings, three accept them and two reject them, or two accept them and three reject them. Even today, families and close friends have been set at "variance" (to cut apart, divide in two; Vine) over issues like baptism and the plan of salvation; over the singleness of the Lord's church; over an issue like divorce and remarriage; over the issue of instrumental music in worship; over matters like homosexuality. Jesus tells us that we must love him more than father or mother, son or daughter. There is a temptation that comes when those of our own family err and reject the truth, to compromise in order to accommodate and get along. Those in error sometimes will demand that we accept their sin, but the faithful know this cannot be! Yes, we should seek to get along and be at peace with our family and neighbors, Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14, but this does not mean peace at any price!
