Fire on Earth

Luke 12:49-53

(49)  I am come to send fire on the earth; and would that it were already kindled?
(50)  But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I constrained till it be accomplished!
(51)  Suppose you that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
(52)  For from now on there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
(53)  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.

How is it, the reader may ask, that the Prince of Peace can speak of kindling a fire on earth, creating division in families?   Surely he wants us to be at peace within our families?

The matter is relatively straightforward, and we need to review it once in while.

To be a Christian is to separate yourself from the world.  If you act like every other worldly person, I would seriously question your faith.

That separation—it is called holiness—carries with it an intense hatred for sin, for sin cost the life of our Savior.  That attitude towards sin must be balanced with a love for the sinner (but the world usually won't make that distinction).

It also carries with it the fear of—and obedience to—God.  It changes what we do and how we do it, for we now are out to please Him, not ourselves.

That results is a powerful witness.  The world can ignore changed words;  it cannot ignore changed lives.

That right living, powerfully portrayed in us, forces a decision upon everyone who sees it.  Either they are attracted or repelled;  there are no "neutrals" in this war.

The fire is kindled by the existence of the tinder of sin and the blaze of righteousness and faith.  The choice must be made.

Love must be balanced with wisdom.  It must be arranged properly.  My God tells me to love my wife;  my wife should not be allowed to tell me not to love my God.   The right order produces peace;  the wrong order produces chaos.

This, of course, can be a great trial.  I am not suggesting that it is trivial;  I am stating that it is not optional.

Can we have peace without righteousness?  Certainly!  It goes by the name of oppression.  For if the force is great enough, all enemies can be overborne.  That's the world's way.  We need not think of abortion, homosexuality and adultery as "sin" - just "alternate lifestyles, choice and `improving your marriage'."  That's the world's view.  But notice what happens when righteousness is seen!  That is why the politically correct are so desperate to silence the church!  That is why the oppression has begun.  

The fire of God is kindled, and is spreading.  The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church, and we will soon know this truth again.