Not Peace, But a Sword

I came not to send peace on earth, but a sword.—Matthew 10:34.

Is not our Saviour the prince of peace? Hath he not made peace between God and man, by the blood of his cross? Doth he not give peace in the conscience, and establish peace among his people? Is it not the essence of the gospel to preach peace by Christ? All this is true. Why then doth my Lord say, "I came not to send peace, but a sword?" Conceive not of the meek Lamb as though his soul delighted in war, and that the sword of slaughter should be drunk with human blood. No: he came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them. Therefore this sword is no other than the "sword of the Spirit, the word of God." It is rendered in Luke, DIVISION. This sword divides and separates a Christian from his carnal friends and relations; yea, divides asunder flesh and Spirit. Hence open war commences, and hostilities begin; for there never, never can be any peace, harmony, and agreement, subsisting between carnal and spiritual men, no more than between flesh and Spirit in the Christian. These are contrary to, and at continual war with each other. "Wars and fightings come from your lusts." Sin is the cause of all contention and division among men: every Christian is a soldier; the sword of the Spirit, the word of God is one blessed part of his armour. By this he is enabled to resist Satan, subdue his lusts, cut down unbelief, and to stand his ground against every enemy from the world, flesh, and devil, which are always in battle array against him.

Thus the weapons of thy warfare, O soul, are not carnal, but spiritual and mighty, through God, "to the pulling down the strongholds of Satan." Though earth and hell are at war against thee, yet strengthen thyself in thy God, he is on thy side. Fortify thyself by the word of his truth. This, for thy comfort, assures thee, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment, thou shalt condemn."—Isaiah 54:17. By "this sword of the Spirit thou shalt prevail: by the blood of the Lamb thou shalt overcome." "Not by might or power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."—Zechariah 4:6. Alas! the poor sensible soul is ready to say, my strength is small, my arm is weak; though such a weapon is put into my hand, I have neither skill nor courage to use it aright; sin, Satan, and the world will be too strong for, and overcome me at last. No; that is impossible. Though weak as infancy, feeble as childhood, this blessed word exactly suits our state, and is a cordial to our spirits, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them." Why so? Because "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."—1 John 4:4.

William Mason, A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God, Volume 1, October 14