the sword of peace‏

Chambers pierced my heart today when he reported

 

I did not come to bring peace but a sword —Matthew 10:34

 

Never be sympathetic with a person whose situation causes you to conclude that God is dealing harshly with him.God can be more tender than we can conceive, and every once in a while He gives us the opportunity to deal firmly with someone so that He may be viewed as the tender One. If a person cannot go to God, it is because he has something secret which he does not intend to give up— he may admit his sin, but would no more give up that thing than he could fly under his own power.It is impossible to deal sympathetically with people like that. We must reach down deep in their lives to the root of the problem, which will cause hostility and resentment toward the message. People want the blessing of God, butthey can’t stand something that pierces right through to the heart of the matter.

If you are sensitive to God’s way, your message as His servant will be merciless and insistent, cutting to the very root. Otherwise, there will be no healing.We must drive the message home so forcefully that a person cannot possibly hide, but must apply its truth. Deal with people where they are, until they begin to realize their true need. Then hold high the standard of Jesus for their lives. Their response may be, “We can never be that.” Then drive it home with, “Jesus Christ says you must.”

 

There must be a sense of need created before your message is of any use. Thousands of people in this world profess to be happy without God. But if we could be truly happy and moral without Jesus, then why did He come? He came because that kind of happiness and peace is only superficial. Jesus Christ came to “bring . . . a sword” through every kind of peace that is not based on a personal relationship with Himself.

 

There is nothing more disgraceful in our culture than uttering the words, “I can’t.” 
We resist saying it. 

We encourage others to avoid saying it. 

We work harder. 
We turn frowns upside down. 
We overcome. 
We are made stronger by that which does not kill us. 
We wrestle silver linings from the skies. 
We “spin.”

 

The first trace of the grace of God is the poverty found in the end of one’s self. 

“I can’t” is the first drop of moisture dripping off the ice cold exterior of our hardened hearts.

 

“I can’t,” is the right response to the “you must” of God’s Holy Law.

 

Jesus only.

Jesus solely.

Jesus ever after be.

 

If “you can” then “He shouldn’t have,” or at least “didn’t have to.”

 

Why did God deny His Son’s request to let this cup pass?

 

Jesus had to die.

Had to.

 

Until you say, “I can’t,” you will never embrace the power of “He had to.”