God and Caesar

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? … And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. Luke 20:22-25.
Christ’s reply was … a candid answer to the question. Holding in His hand the Roman coin, upon which were stamped the name and image of Caesar, He declared that since they were living under the protection of the Roman power, they should render to that power the support it claimed, so long as this did not conflict with a higher duty. But while peaceably subject to the laws of the land, they should at all times give their first allegiance to God.
We are to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment, and teach obedience to it as a sacred duty, within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the claims of God, we must obey God rather than men. God’s Word must be recognized as above all human legislation. A “Thus saith the Lord” is not to be set aside for a “Thus saith the church” or a “Thus saith the state.” The crown of Christ is to be lifted above the diadems of earthly potentates. FLB 240.3
The wisdom and authority of the divine law are supreme…. The ten precepts of Jehovah are the foundation of all righteous and good laws. Those who love God’s commandments will conform to every good law of the land.
We are not required to defy authorities…. We are to go forward in Christ’s name, advocating the truths committed to us. If we are forbidden by men to do this work, then we may say, as did the apostles, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19, 20.
Our kingdom is not of this world. We are waiting for our Lord from heaven to come to earth to … set up His everlasting kingdom.
The Faith I Live By p. 240
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my dog Bailey. She is sick and in pain. Diane
—-Please pray for my family. Connie
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, our pastor asked if anyone knew the significance of October 31. He reminded us that it was on this date that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of his church in Wittenburg. That one act, kindled a light that would grow in brightness and spread around the world until Jesus comes.
From the moment he ascended upon his knees “Pilate’s staircase,” till his death from unwise cooking, Luther’s life was filled with an unceasing activity to bring to the people the truth that “The just shall live by faith.” Rom. 1:17 He was looked down upon as a heretic by many and loved and admired by others for his stand. As he studied, more truth was impressed upon his mind. Some of these he immediately shared with his followers, some he kept to himself, others were kept in the background until a later time, following Jesus’ example when He said to His disciples, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. John 16:12 Truly Luther was one of the greatest of the Reformers. One to whom our Saviour will say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful…enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matt 25:21
May we stand firm for the truth as did Martin Luther. May we faithfully spread God’s message as he did. May we live all that God reveals to us from His Holy Word is my prayer.
Rose