When God Says …
“But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cæsar's. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar's, and unto God the things which be God's.” (Luke 20:23-25 KJV).
Our Lord Jesus Christ outsmarts His religious trappers in their craft with His famous phrase, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." These passages display a brilliant lesson in grace versus the law, highlighting the distinction between earthly obligations and heavenly ownership. The religious leaders try to trap the Lord with a crafty question in regard with the Roman poll tax. If He says to pay the tax, He’d be accused of collaborating with the oppressive Roman Empire. If He says no, they can report Him to the Roman authorities for treason. So, He asks to see a coin and points out that Caesar’s image is etched on it.
The Lord’s response to the spies, says that as Caesar's image is on the coin, they have to give him back his coin. In New Covenant terms, this means we have practical, earthly duties while passing through this world abiding in the unction of the Holy Spirit. In the heaven’s realm, our Lord Jesus states we must render to God what is God’s. News flash! You and I are stamped with God’s image (Genesis 1:26). We completely belong to Him.
While the religious leaders focus on demanding legal and religious obligations, our Lord Jesus reminds them and us now, that true worship and submission involve offering your entire being to God, who freely sent His Son to save us. We now, therefore, live in the flesh by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us, and gave himself for us (Galatians 2:20). This, Apostle Paul exhorts us, as it is written: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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