Caldwell Council Meeting: Render Honor to Caesar!
29 Aug
Render Honor to Caesar!
She was the wife of the king and could have demanded that he carry out the promise he had made to her. Instead, Bath-sheba and the prophet Nathan carefully planned a respectful appeal. “Bath-sheba went in unto the king … and Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance [paid homage] unto the king. … And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my Lord the king, thou knowest it not. … And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him” (I Kings 1:15-20). As a result of this wise and respectful appeal, David acted swiftly to fulfill the promise he had made to Bath-sheba.
We are to “fear God and honor the king.” Honor is inwardly deciding to place a high value on a person and outwardly expressing it.
To “render unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar” is not limited to the realm of paying taxes. The payment of taxes is merely part of the higher duty we have to “honor the king.” (See I Peter 2:17.)
Scripture identifies civil authorities as “the ministers of God.” (See Romans 13:4.) When we fail to give proper honor to these authorities, we may experience their wrath. “The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain” (Proverbs 16:14-15). “The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favor is as dew upon the grass” (Proverbs 19:12).
These truths were painfully illustrated in the life of an ingenious businessman. He designed a legal way to combine related corporations and increase the stock value for the shareholders. As his efforts became increasingly successful, an official from the government became involved. The businessman disliked working with this particular official and tried to circumvent his authority. This lack of respect caused the government official to become offended and angry. The situation went from bad to worse and ended with the businessman’s imprisonment.
The right to be given honor does not depend on an individual’s personality or his actions, but rather on his position under other authorities. Thus, Paul warns, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation” (Romans 13:1-2).
“Curse not the king, no not in thy thought … for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter” (Ecclesiastes 10:20).
True honor must be sincere at all times and must be outwardly expressed in obedient actions and words of gratefulness to those who are providing civil benefits. When was the last time you thanked a “minister of God” for the benefits that he or she is providing for your well-being? Why not select one of these ministers of God and write a letter to him or her today to express your gratefulness and to show honor.
Through Christ our Lord,
Bill Gothard
http://mailings.iblp.org/getresponse/output/index.php?day=261
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The video above is what came out of our family devotions sometime in May 2013. To honor the Caldwell officials: Mayor, Councilmen, and Policemen. About 30 Gospel Tracts were distributed.
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