In Matthew 10:34-39 Jesus makes one of his most shocking statements; “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” What does a sword represent?  Most of the time the sword represents war. It represents battle, and blood shed. It is the tool of choice when diplomacy has failed and the only way to find a resolution to our grievances is combat. It usually doesn’t represent a good thing.  But, sometimes the sword is a metaphor for the Bible; the Sword of the Spirit. And of course we know that the Bible holds the answers for all of life’s dilemmas. So which sword is Jesus talking about? Well, it’s neither, and it’s both. The sword represents division from the world or division from Christ. It represents a choice, and that choice can’t be made apart from the Word.  And that decision, regardless of which one you choose, will bring chaotic wreckage in your life; a battle you will not be free from until eternity.  Either directly or indirectly Jesus brings division and his words divide mankind. It divides us into two distinct camps; those who take up their cross and follow him and those who ignore the cross and reject him; those who love the world and find their life in it and those who love Jesus more than the world and lose their life for his sake. And make no mistake about it; no one can ride the line with a foot in both worlds. You must make a decision or the decision will be made for you!  And unfortunately, regardless of which side of this decision you finally fall on, it will bring division to your world, to your family, and to your dreams.  But, in the end it will be worth it.  The bottom line is this; Following Christ will inevitably wreck your life; and thats a good thing.