30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 20 19-26 THE FOOLISHNESS OF THE CRAFTY LEADERS 15 Luke 20 24-25 Render to God the things that are God’s 2
📖 Luke 20:19-26
18Mar2021 - *Render to God the things that are God’s 2* - _Luke 20:19-26_ - THE FOOLISHNESS OF THE CRAFTY LEADERS 15 – Bible reading: _Ephesians 1:19-23_
We continue to look at the response of Jesus to the question from the Jewish leaders. We’re considering a few of the implications of what it is to render to God the things that are God’s.
All of humanity belongs to God. We were created in the image of God and so, firstly, the task of man is to be aligned to our Creator to be His representative.
_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*."_
Yesterday, we talked about believing in God. Yes, without faith we cannot please God. Though faith is our response to God, it is God, by His grace, who enables us to trust Him.
If we are willing and open to receive God’s grace, then, it is His grace that enables us to trust Him. We trust Him to receive more of His grace. This is a continuous cycle.
_Romans 3:24-26 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (25) whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, (26) to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus._
Consider, friends, all the blessing that we receive from God by grace through faith. Not only is God’s grace sufficient, but we also live in the empowerment and victory of the Holy Spirit. Our life now is all about the Holy Spirit, who indwells and operates through us.
_Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death._
In all that we do, we seek to bring glory to God
_I Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. I Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen._
We’re bondservants of Christ
_Mark 8:35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it._ We see our lives, no more for ourselves. We’re like the seed that falls into the ground dies.
Only when it dies, does to sprout and bring forth yield.
The writers in the New Testament saw themselves as bondservants of Jesus. _Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God_
Though we are bondservants of Jesus, we are also vice-regents who rule with God, here on earth. This is one of the several paradoxes of the Christian life that we hold in tandem.
_Ephesians 1:19-23 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (20) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and *seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places*, (21) far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (22) And *He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church*, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all._
We live in this world but we are keenly conscious that we do not belong here. We are here on pilgrimage, we are passing through. We are looking forward to the eternal place, where we will reign with Jesus in His eternal kingdom.
_Daniel 7:18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.'_
*Thought to ponder*
Giving to God the things that are God’s is to lay our all, at His feet.