The religious leaders came to Jesus, hoping to trip him up (Mark 12:13-17). Tiberius Caesar, a brooding paranoid who regularly executed those who challenged him, was ruler of the most powerful nation in the world, and was considered by many to be “what’s wrong with this country.” So the leaders asked Jesus, “To whom should we pay taxes?” implying that it would be wrong to support such a government. Indeed, democracy collapsed under the reign of the Caesars, and immorality reached the level of madness—the number one form of entertainment was gladiatorial battles to the death, accompanied by the public rape, torture, and murder of foreigners and other undesirables.
Jesus pointed to the tribute coin and asked, “Whose image is this?” “Caesar’s,” they spat back. “Well, then,” Jesus replied, “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Was he saying, “Hey, the Romans are good guys, so do what they tell you to do”? Hardly. He was saying, “You can’t get the freedom you’re looking for from any human government. You can only get it from God.”
My country, arguably the most powerful nation in the world, is in the midst of a virulent election. Both candidates are believed by millions to be “what’s wrong with this country.” They may or may not be. But whoever’s image ends up imprinted in the media, it’s God’s image that is imprinted on us, and real freedom can only be found in him. So vote for the best human you can. But render to God what is God’s.
And if thou wilt be truly free, let God alone rule over thee.
Very good post, Mitch.
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Thank you, Sara.
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Well-put !!!, I agree.
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Thank you, Ron!
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“So vote for the best human you can. But render to God what is God’s.”
Words to live by!
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Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Great words, Mitch!
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Amen (to the great Edward Mote lyrics). And thank you.
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Amen, Brother!!! 👍🏻🙏🏻☝🏻️
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I am very concerned about what I consider an ethical and moral failure of my fellow citizens. I keep my politics off my writer’s blog, but I will say this much, we are on the edge of either a revitalization of America or the beginning into a new dark age and a return of Rudyard Kipling’s “Gods of the Copybook Headings”. If you’ve never read that poem, please do. Its practically prophetic.
No matter what… God’s candidate will win. Let us just pray for His mercy and chance to retake this nation from the manifested evil that all can see.
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👍👍 Thumbs up for your posts
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Thank you!
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You are welcome…
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Good Word Mitch … Check my sermon “Who to Vote For” … we’re saying the same thing, I just took longer to say it 🙂
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Thanks, Jim. I’ll check it out!
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