Many today wonder why the Christian is following the recommendations of local, state, and federal officials concerning gathering in church, just to name one place of many.
"We are to obey God rather than man" the bible says...
"This is government overreach"
"We have freedom of religion and no one can take away"
I've heard many reasons behind supporting to continue meeting for worship and many reasons to follow the experts warnings for "social and physical distancing".
Those who want to "buck" the system and refuse to heed warnings have the right to do so.
They will talk about those of us who are following the recommendations as caving in to the government, afraid, faithless, worldly, etc.
Personally, I think some will say anything just to get some attention.
I love my fellow man, but I am only concerned with what Jesus thinks about me and the welfare of my church family.
Notice what Jesus said concerning government and God...
Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
In ancient times, an image on any object showed ownership. Every time a new emperor was chosen, he would stamp his own coinage.
Since the Roman emperor viewed himself as a god, some Jews objected to paying taxes.
When Jesus was questioned about paying tribute to Caesar whether it was right or wrong didn't matter, he would have been wrong either way he answered.
But Jesus' answer wasn't what they expected him to say...
Jesus' answer marveled them...verse 22
His answer was amazing! Jesus said they did owe something to Caesar.
It was his coins they were using.
They travelled on Roman roads built by the Romans.
Rome provided them some measure of peace for them.
So they did owe something to Rome.
This is why Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's.
But he continued, "Render unto God the things that are God's"
Give to Caesar what belongs to him, Give to God what belongs to Him!
There is a principle here...
When our country ask something of us for our good and for others, we do it.
Every one of us has a double citizenship.
There are many "services" that we receive of our country.
This places us under a debt of obligation to our fellow countryman...
And because a Christian is a person of honour, we must be a responsible citizen.
When The Lord ask something of us for our good and for others, we do it.
The matter of faith is an individual responsibility to God.
If we were convinced that something was against the will of God, the Holy Spirit would tell us, and we must resist it.
But Jesus is very clear here in this passage, we must do both.
We must fail neither to our duty to our fellow man, nor to our Lord.
Please remember our church prayer requests and all those listed in our church bulletin.
Pray for one another. Pray for our Nation and our people.
Pray for our military and the churches missionaries all around the world.
Pray for our Police Officers and Fire Fighters.
Pray for all those in the medical field, hospitals and doctors office as they provide patient well care and also to protect themselves.
Finally Pray for the lost, those seeking after The Lord today.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen
"Wherefore edify(encourage) one another..." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Trusting in Christ, Pastor Brian
Have a great day!
