Monday, June 20, 2011

The Difference between "to" and "on"

It is vitally important to consider the difference between "to" and "on". For example, we are all aware of the following:

"Peace on earth, goodwill to men".

But then there is the following:

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." - Matthew 10:34

Are these contradictory? No, not at all. This plays off of that famous old phrase - Christians are to be in the world, but not of the world. There is peace on earth - but not peace to this fallen place. Indeed, the fallen world will never stop fighting the Gospel - and thus between Christians and the world there will always be struggle. We will all preach the Law, and the world will always reject it. We will preach the Gospel, and the world will always disdain it.

The difference between to and on. A vital difference that describes our whole lives.

1 comment:

Mike Baker said...

The angels declared the truth. Indeed, peace had come to earth... Christ in the flesh. Where there is Christ, there is life and salvation. In Him no greater peace can be found. This peace, the Kingdom of God, is at hand: The Lamb of God who has come in the flesh to take away the sins of the world. This is TRUE peace, not ephemeral breaks in conflict between nations or between individuals, but an eternal, covenental peace between God and sinful Man has the Father graciously reconciles the world to Himself through His only begotten Son by Faith.

...and later we hear from St. Paul who encourages us to take up "The Sword of the Spirit" which is the Word of God [Eph 6:17] which points us to Christ who is the Word made flesh [John 1:1].

Through the receiving of this Word, the Spirit (which proceeds from the Father and the Son) brings us to everlasting peace by imparting faith. This Word, this Sword, does the very thing that it promises. It redeems us back from death and gives us life!

Contradictory?!? Heavens no! In perfect harmony and circular as it continually directs us away from ourselves and this fallen world that is passing away...

...and draws us to the cross.