Mark 12: 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him. (KJV)
Render to Ceasar the things that are Ceasar’s
Pay the taxes that the governments of man place upon you
Also obey the laws that are placed upon you by these same governments.
To me the one that I see most ignored is the last sentence I wrote above. True there are some laws that need to be challenged and changed like abortion for example. But I am referring mainly to the everyday laws of the land in which we live.
I find it amazing to watch someone pass me on the road as I go slightly above the speed limit. This means that they are flagrantly throwing the laws of the land in the face of God. What I find even more amazing is one time this happened I watched the car pull into church as services would be starting soon at this particular church. I just shook my head in amazement.
A law is per merriam-webster: a binding custom or practice of a community : a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority
We are to render which means to deliver, give, yield that which are the things of the government.
Here as in other words in both the Greek and Hebrew have multiple meanings. We must fully understand the means of the words so has to apply them how God wishes us to act.
Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (KJV)
be subject to the rule that is put forth upon us and to obey those who are an official entrusted with administration of the laws of the land.
Here we are instructed to follow the laws of the land.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. (KJV)
Strivings means to disagree or dispute in this case the laws of the land, and we are to avoid this. When we speed we are disagreeing with this law and disputing it to the point of disobedience. This is counter to the behavior we have been told by God through Jesus and His disciples to obey and follow.
So in essence we are not rebelling against the laws of the land but we are really rebelling against God as well as the teaching and sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Savior.
So we must remember that our faith and believes is not limited to a pew in a church on once or twice a week. It is to be a daily endeavor to strive more and more to be like Jesus was. Since in:
1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Followers in Greek actually mean be an imitator of Christ, which means to use or follow as a model. We are to act as Jesus did.
I found this excellent description in response to the question: “How did Jesus want people to act?” on the internet:
Jesus, himself, modeled the way we should act. He was gentle, forgiving, truthful, at times angry and blunt (when people were just being jerks). He wasn’t a doormat. When challenged about His teaching or acts, He always answered directly and without apology, because He knew His words and deeds were righteous…or right. There’s a key point, when we live upright lives, following His lead, we won’t have to be covering up or trying to make excuses for ourselves.
Of course, as humans, we WILL make mistakes, bad choices, and do things we know we shouldn’t have. When that happens, we are to ADMIT IT (not defend ourselves or make excuses), apologize, ask forgiveness (from God always, and others if they’ve been wronged), and make things right in those circumstances where that’s possible.
Also, Jesus never failed to give the credit, or glory, to God.
By snoogle31
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080921071408AAMTiP2
So if we are to strive to be right and or righteous should we then not obey God by obeying average everyday laws that we take for granted?
Yes we should. So think about this tomorrow when you feel that you need to hurry and get to your destination. Me? I leave early and still go up to five miles an hour over the speed limit, and trust me I have been cursed and honked at more than once for not going faster.
Will I give in any further to the peer pressure? No. What I will do is say the Lord’s pray once again even if I have to say it one hundred times.
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