Comforting the Afflicted / Afflicting the Comfortable

The teachings of Jesus the Christ are all about being truly loving—not later, when we all get to “Glory”-- but now, in this difficult, confusing world.  Not to those who already love us, but to our enemies.  He welcomed the child-like and would rescue the smallest lamb. He also said he came “to bring a sword.”  The spiritual path is fraught with such paradoxes.  How do we reconcile these two seemingly disparate teachings?