Hi CIY,
Your post really got me thinking, so much so that I held off this response fopr several hours. Oh sure, I fully understand that what I am about to say maybe exactly what you meant; however the Scriptures that you quote were used often during my church days and I feel that they may mean different things to different folk. Which is why I am posting my take on them.
There is no attack on you at all.
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.This verse was always confusing to me, for did not Christ come to save the world and not judge? (Jhn 12:47) Why then the need of the sword, was it to maim, hurt or kill his children. I do not believe so; the sword is for humanity as shears are to a fruit tree. Christ will shape his people, ridding them of carnal inclanations, prideful thoughts, hate, anger and lust, thus pruning his people. This of course can happen in any number of ways.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.Once again, if one looks at this at face value, one might think that there should be no peace between loved family members; that there should be no love at all. But, this is not what is being said. Rather, as one becomes shaped according to His good will, a variance will occur that may be counter productive to the status quo. What should one do? Well walking away from Christ is failure just as walking away from loved ones, leaving them to defend for themselves. The division in thought and belief is NOT for our punishment, but for our growth. How can one learn the fruits of the Spirit if one does not endure? Christ endured to the death, giving his life for those who did not even recognize him. His people must be wiiling to do the same, and any division should be seen for exactly what it is.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.This follows pretty much from the following verse. Yet, what are we instructed to do with our foes/enemies? We are to love them and never stop praying for them. (Mat 5:44) Is this not unconditional love, a fruit of the spirit?
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.Ah, and this is a tricky one. Man has a somewhat tainted view of love. Love has many facets which has been brought out in Joes thread on love. What Christ is saying, is that one cannot love ones family and Christ at the same level. Personally, I have only been able to truly love my family since Christ has opened my heart and soul to him. I Love my family VERY much, but NOT instead of Christ, but BECAUSE of Christ. There is a huge difference!!
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. This was another tough one for me; how was I going to take up my cross and follow Christ? What would I need to do, sell or my stuff? Dress in sack cloth? Memorize the bible and study day and night? Make a cross and drag it behind me?
Nope, none of the above. What was Christ signafying by dragging his cross? Well to me, it was to signify the struggle it is to trust God with ones life, by letting go of everything and trusting God completely. My cross is a metaphor for my carnal nature that seeks always to drag me down. I cannot escape my nature or the world, yet I must bare it on my shoulders but keep it away from my thoughts and my love for God. This requires perseverance, faith, trust and a lot of prayer. One cannot do this on ones own.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.Of course this verse might mean that if one loses ones life for Christ, one will find the real life; however, I believe the greater message is not about how one dies, but rather about how one lives.
an without God has only a perception of life. Let's eat and drink for tomorrow we die" Isa 22:13 Many are beginning to clone themselves for use in the future, no trust there. No hope either.
One must let go of this life and trust God in everything. This means letting go of past beliefs and traditions. Only then can one begin to live the real life and the peace and fulfillment that this life brings. Psalm 23 is a perfect reminder of this.
Well this is how I see it. Comments welcome.
Love in Christ,
Darren