“‘Tell us, then, what You think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why put Me to the test, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin for the tax.’ And they brought Him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then He said to them, ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.'” Matthew 22:17-21
Devotional Thought For The Day
There are things that legitimately belong to Caesar, that is, to the secular governing authorities. There are other things that belong to God. This was true even in the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The government at this time was completely bereft of any proper theological understanding – other than having the “law” of God written in their heart [see Rom. 2:14,15]. So they had laws that to some degree complied with commandments four through eight [honoring authority, against murder, theft, sexual immorality, and slander]. However, much like our own times, the Roman government in many respects legitimated violation of these moral laws of God. We no longer require people to honor parents, teachers, or other authorities – rebellion and disrespect are in vogue. We allow abortion and euthanasia. Much of commerce involves lying and deceiving, and no one seems all that concerned. There are currently laws protecting minors from sexual exploitation, and laws prohibiting rape and sexual harassment. Many people still consider adultery wrong, but just about anything else is considered permissible. It remains to be seen just how low morality will sink in our nation.
We used to have a much greater degree of consensus between God’s law and the laws enforced by government. That made it easier to be a Christian and also a good citizen. But things have been shifting and changing over the last few decades, especially the most recent decade, and it is apparent that our Caesar is no longer attuned to God’s law, the teachings of Holy Scripture. When the government determines certain behaviors to be legal this creates an impression that such behaviors are also moral. Likewise, what government and businesses do is mimicked by the general population – and considered to be moral and upright. When such publicly legitimized behavior is contrary to Scripture Christians have to be discerning and disciplined. Even if government no longer requires obedience to godly morality, God still does – and we remain obligated to render to God the things that are God’s.
And we owe it to our own government, as citizens with rights, to continuing advocating and trying to influence culture and society toward godly morals and values. Nations which reject God’s laws and God’s ways are subject to all kinds of discipline and punishment from God – including natural disasters and torment from other peoples. We should be aware – all of us, including unbelievers – that it would not be all that difficult for the Lord to dramatically reduce our national wealth, power, and influence. As Christians, if we remain faithful to God’s Word in our behavior and in what we speak and promote to others, we function as a kind of protective and preserving “salt,” God providing some mercy for the sake of His dear children of faith. We should take this role seriously, and also pray God for mercy, compassion, and patience on the unbelieving and ungodly all around us. This too is a part of what we are obligated to render unto God – for the sake of Caesar.
There may also come times when “we must obey God rather than men.” [Acts 5:29] God is obviously a higher power than earthly government. However, unless we are directed by government to violate God’s Word we are to remain subject to it. If the time comes that our Christian life and activities are forbidden and punished by government, then we will have to suffer just as early Christians did, and as Christians through the centuries have had to. We have constant assurance of God’s gracious mercy and forgiveness, and the certainty of eternal life and salvation in the life to come; these realities will enable us to bear all things. In the meanwhile, let us be clear in our thinking as to our various duties and obligations, and pray God to give us strength and preparation to remain faithful to Him no matter the cost or consequences. Remember, Jesus and His servants [prophets and apostles] generally spent all of their ministry in the midst of deep and dangerous conflict. It may yet be our privilege to join them.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, we lament and abhor the dangerous moral and spiritual degradation that threatens to destroy our nation. Protect us from all temptations to compromise Your Word, and give us courage to render full obedience to You. Remove those enemies who are incorrigible and open hearts and minds to true goodness and love. Help us to serve our government and nation in the best ways possible, as we seek to serve You in all things. Amen.