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God and Caesar, August 22
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
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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.
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
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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.
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