30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 20 19-26 THE FOOLISHNESS OF THE CRAFTY LEADERS 13 Luke 20 24-25 Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s
📖 Luke 20:19-26
16Mar2021 - *Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s* - _Luke 20:19-26_ - THE FOOLISHNESS OF THE CRAFTY LEADERS 13 – Bible reading: _I Peter 2:12-16_
Let us take a closer look at the response of Jesus to the question posed to Him by the religious leaders.
_Luke 20:24-25 Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?" They answered and said, "Caesar's." (25) And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."_
The first part of the answer is to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. God desires that wherever we live, we, as the disciples of Jesus, must be people whose life is above reproach.
_Romans 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (2) Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves._
Resisting or disobeying the authorities is resisting God. In all things, we are here to obey and serve the Lord.
_Romans 13:3-4 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. (4) For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil._
We must be known as those who do good and as people of excellence, in our whole life. Our life must result in praise to God.
The Apostle narrows down our everyday life issues even to the matter of taxes.
_Romans 13:5-7 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. (6) For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. (7) Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor._
Peter reiterates for us the same thought.
_I Peter 2:12-16 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. (13) Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, (14) or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. (15) For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— (16) as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God._
We are free and not under bondage to anyone but our freedom makes us be those who submit to the ordinances of man.
Ultimately, our life is about loving people and praying for those who govern us. _Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law._
_I Timothy 2:1-2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, (2) for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence._
As much as we are taught to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, we must always keep in mind that the Lord is calling us to draw the line and refuse when we are being called and forced to acknowledge any other god or rule, in the place of Yahweh, _Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before Me._
Our stand has to be that of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed Nego. _Daniel 3:18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."_
God, the Holy Spirit, will guide us into all truth. _John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you._
*Thought to ponder*
```As much as our life is called to be above reproach, we are also those who may be called to lay down our life, for not bowing before the gods of this age.```