Matthew 15:21


“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” ` Matthew 15:21b

This is a loaded statement, for it is one thing to give to a government which follows its laws and be obedient to that government, and another when the leaders are corrupt. What this does though is establish limitations. When we acknowledge our government, we naturally submit to them, especially when we vote them into power. Yet still our earth is agitated over political rights and wrongs. What then is what we owe our government? For one, most laws are made to suppress evil doers, they promote good order, and they protect their citizens. What governments should not do is intrude into what belongs to God. Unfortunately, we live in a society which does this more directly than indirectly. Rendering to God demands from us our obedience, honour, our worship and reverence in both the moral and spiritual realm. If the first requires us to disobey God, we are to obey Him, whatever may be the peril. Yet, Jesus does not wish to separate the two, but to heal and reconcile. It is our duty to satisfy both, for what is given to our political leaders is what God has given to them. Every citizen is a part of their leader as we have a voice, at least, in a self-governed country. God’s claim is that everything belongs to Him – that is, our heart, our country, our very life. This includes our politics as well as our religion, the world around us and the church we worship in. It includes the temporary and the eternal!
Devotion by Pastor Julia

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