Ephesians 3:14-21 / Luke 12:49-53
Very often when we want to settle a problem quickly, we tend to look for compromising solutions or the easy way out.
So
in order to handle a problematic child, we tend to give things and
money instead of spending time with the child and trying to understand
the real needs of the child.
And when we see something not right being done, we tend to look away and pretend not to see.
We tend to play-safe and not to get involved, as long as it does not concern us.
Even if it does concern us, we will want to protect ourselves first.
But that was not what Jesus did.
Jesus knew what His Father wanted Him to do and say, and He was committed to His mission.
Jesus did not want to have conflicts. In fact, he came to gather people into the peace of God's kingdom.
But when conflicts and oppositions came, He refused to compromise.
For Jesus, there are no play-safe and guarded options or messages.
He was on fire for love and truth, for righteousness and justice.
If we are to follow Jesus, then we too must be prepared for conflicts and oppositions whenever they arise.
Yet the first conflict and opposition will come from within ourselves.
We
have to be prepared to go through the fire that Jesus brings so that we
will burn away the option of compromising solutions and the easy way
out.
Only then will we understand the freedom and peace of living in the truth.