Jesus was polarizing

When truth is spoken, those living in lies and darkness are offended by it.

Jesus called people out on their stuff.  He did not show up on this earth to condemn it, but to love and save it. 

However, by speaking the truth (He was and is the Truth), He ruffled some feathers, to put it mildly.

What did Jesus speak? For one, He told us that the only way to God was through Himself.  The Pharisees were deeply troubled and offended by this for many reasons.  For starters, they were jealous of Jesus.  Jesus had a following.  But in the religious leaders' eyes, His followers weren't the "right" people.  They held no status.  Many were downright sinful, awful human beings in their eyes.

But Jesus set the Pharisees straight on their judgmental standards.  He points out that they were actually the ones in danger of the fire of hell.  In their pride and self-righteousness, they were digging their own pits of self-destruction, though they thought they were in the right.

[The Pharisee said} 'I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:12-14

Other polarizing words of Jesus are these.

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to turn

‘a man against his father,

    a daughter against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—

     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’"  Matthew 10:34-36

Sound divisive?  Sure does.

We have come to believe falsely about what division means and its purpose.  We may want to "keep the peace" at all costs.  But what are our motives?  Whenever we speak of and live for Jesus, depending on our audience, guess what?  There will be "sides" taken.  Jesus Himself said that you are either for Him or against Him.

So those of us who are for Jesus have enemies in those who are against Him.  

No one likes war, confrontation, or strife.  And yet Jesus, simply by being true to Himself and His Heavenly Father, caused much commotion, division, and uproar when He spoke.  Still does.

Why have we come to fear division?  If we do, we will never fully be available for God's purposes in our lives.  It's not like we are looking to cause strife or division.  We come in peace!  Jesus came in peace.

But the words Jesus spoke, and the words we speak when filled with His Spirit, will cause division, whether we want them to or not.  Because truth is always divisive.  There will be those who love truth as Christians do, and others who hate it.

So I guess it comes down to how we deal with the stress that division causes, since it will inevitably be with us until the reign of Christ.

We deal with it like any other source of anxiety - we give it to the Lord and ask His wisdom and peace in the situation.  We don't stifle speaking up for Him and living for Him - God forbid!  Remember, we have God on our side as His born again saints.  The righteous are as bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1) simply because we have God in us, for us, and through us! We possess Truth, which is always divisive in our fallen world.

So all that warm and fuzzy, lovey dovey all getting along that we all deeply crave, will only reach full and free fruition in heaven.  Until then, it's a battle zone, kids!  It was for Jesus.  And as His followers, it is for us, too.

Let us not fear others' reactions to our speaking up and living for Christ.  Who knows?  They may come around one day.  

There are greater needs in this world than worrying about the unavoidable divisions around us.  In Romans 12:18, God tells us, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." 

So though others may not be at peace with us, we are still to be at peace with them.  We accomplish this by staying at peace within ourselves in Christ's peace.  

Takeaway?  We can stay in peace even when living among division. May we stay strong in His Spirit and Life!

Dear Lord.  Help us focus on You, Your truth, Your love, Your Spirit.  And as we do, embolden us to always speak up for and stand up for You and Your Truth, in Your Spirit.  And as we come in peace, with our hearts full of You, as we speak up, help us to always respond in love to those still in the darkness. Thank You that we can leave the final dividing up to You when You separate the sheep from the goats.  Thank You for always speaking truth to us, precious Lord.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.