The message of the Kingdom is that God is establishing his rule of peace in people’s lives. In Matthew 10 Jesus sends his disciples out to proclaim this message of peace, but, as he sends them out, he predicts that this message of peace will cause conflict. What Jesus predicts here is that this message of peace will bring the inner conflict in people’s hearts to the surface. People who seek to live autonomously (i.e. living their own way) are in conflict with God because only God has a right to rule their lives. The last thing people want is to have their autonomy challenged. This is the root of all human conflict. It is impossible to live autonomously without your interests being challenged by others. And when this happens conflict ensues. People conflict with each other because they are first in conflict with God. This inner conflict is in each of us to the extent that we are not fully submitted to God. It is like a car with one blown-out tyre. The conflict or misalignment between the busted tyre and the other tyres causes the car to shake and veer off course. This is how it is when our hearts are out of alignment with God’s will. Whenever a person is confronted with God, naturally they feel their autonomy being challenged by the one who has a rightful claim over their lives. Most people respond by defending their autonomy, even with hostility. Such people will never live in peace. The only way to gain peace with God is to surrender to him.
Is there a conflict between your desires and goals and those of God? Find peace by surrendering to God today.
Read Matthew 10:16-42.
