The Prince of Peace Brought a Sword

A. Acts 24:25. Does the truth about God disturb us? It should. Why? Because the
truth about God includes giving an account for our rebellion against Him, and
that has to disturb everyone. The "good news" of the gospel does not tell us we
are ok in our present condition and all we have to do is to accept our "authentic"
selves. Rather the good news is, that a pardon is available for us. But it’s good
news only if will accept the painful reality that we need to be pardoned! The
gospel has to do with the forgiveness of our sins, Acts 26:18. But, it also tells
us that we cannot be forgiven without repentance, Acts 17:30. We must turn
away from our sins and that is not a warm and fuzzy experience. It is a soul-
searching, gut-wrenching process produced by a thing the Scriptures call "godly
sorrow," in 2 Cor. 7:10-11.
1. How can we not be touched to the bone by what God had to pay to atone for our sins? How can we hear the gospel of Christ and not be "cut to the heart?" like those people in Acts 2:37? When Paul spoke this truth to Felix, this Roman official was not moved out of his complacency enough to do anything about the truth, but Paul's presentation of the gospel was such, that when Felix listened to it seriously, he was "afraid," Acts 24:25. Paul’s preaching was certainly different from that of many so-called preachers of today. Many in the church today may share in the fear of Felix. But, like Felix they would rather become like the denominations than to tell them the truth. We preach the Prince of Peace, and it's entirely right that we emphasize the peace that He brings. But, this Prince also brought a sword into this world, Matt. 10:34. And one of that Sword’s functions is to sever us from both those who refuse the truth of God’s Word and from our self-righteous selves -- both are indeed disturbing and difficult. If your Christianity has never disturbed you, you have not yet learned what it is.
2. Acts 20:32.

Spur - 11/02/03 pm