Contending without Contention

“Think not,” said the Savior at Matthew 10:34, “that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” And this has in fact been the case — too often literally, but certainly figuratively. In the Old Testament, the Lord accurately foretold the situation that we commonly see: “I will take you one of a city,” he explained, “and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion” (Jeremiah 3:14). Unfortunately, those who aren’t so “taken” are often not entirely happy with the beliefs and practices of those who are. “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth?” Jesus told his audience at Luke 12:51–52.“I tell you, Nay; but rather division.” But is Jesus not the Prince of Peace? Has he notalso commanded us “That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy rightcheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39)? Jude 1:3 tells us that we “shouldearnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,” but we are alsotold not to be contentious in carrying out that assignment. Doing both simultaneously canbe an extraordinarily great challenge. But it is the Lord’s challenge to us.