The Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6) came and said, “Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division” (Luke 12:51). Wow! Jesus knew (and foretold so that everyone would know) that full surrender and loyalty to Christ will result in division. It will divide family members; it will divide friends; it will divide coworkers and neighbors. But why? Division results because of the two sides involved. (1) One side brings about division because they are “carnal and behaving like mere men” (1 Cor. 3:3). (2) The other side brings about division because, through their unyielding loyalty to Christ, they are fully devoted to “THE way, THE truth, and THE life” (John 14:6), and realize the impossibility of any other way, truth or life!
For the peace of God to rule in our hearts (Col. 3:15) and surpass all understanding (Phil. 4:7), we must yield to the Prince of Peace and preach THE gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15), which includes preaching Jesus as “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36). Some do not want Jesus as their Lord, which results in the division Jesus predicted. The greatest peace is found in THE Way!