It is true that Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Luke 2:14). It is true, as Isaiah 2:4 says, “In His coming earthly kingdom men will beat their spears into plowshares.” It is true that the peace He brings is enduring and lasting even for eternity. So, what is true peace? True peace is based on Jesus Christ because He is the truth (John 14:6).

True peace first must disrupt all false peace. Did you get that? True peace must disrupt all false peace. You may have a family of 5 or 6 that are just basically carnal, pretty good folks from the world's perspective and one of them hears the gospel and is gloriously converted. This converted one comes back into the home and trouble erupts everywhere. I've heard it and seen it over and over again. All of a sudden, they don’t want to do the sinful things the family used to enjoy doing. There is division. It becomes a problem because one found the truth and the truth he brings home with him disrupts the false peace that they are clinging to that’s only temporal.

You see, because of the perversity and the corrupt nature of men, the Prince of Peace kindles a flame of discord in men's hearts. Did you hear that? He brings division and discord because men are perverse and evil. He brings the truth and the light of truth to bear on their dark, selfish, sinful ways. None of this is the fault of Christ or the gospel, it's simply the consequence of our wickedness coming in contact with pure truth. But here’s a note for you: the more resolute you are when you’re tempted by the divisions that following Christ may cause, the more resolute you are to follow Jesus Christ and the better chance you’ll have winning your friends and loved ones to Christ. If you begin to waffle and to compromise to win them, you’re on the wrong track. Now listen to me, I’m not talking about a haughty spirit or a judgmental tone, I’m talking about a sweet and humble spirit. But, do not waver from devotion to Jesus Christ.

You see, constant perseverance is often the way to win the bitterest foe. I remember a little statement that has always stuck with me. When D. L. Moody was such a flaming evangelist across Europe and America, an atheist was going to hear him preach one day. A man stopped and said, “But you’re an atheist. Do you believe what D. L. Moody preaches?” The man said, “No, but D. L. Moody believes it.” That’s what unbelievers need to see in us – an unswerving resoluteness about our faith.