I was caught by an idea while reading a book recently. The author wrote about the Scripture that discusses giving to Caesar what is his, and to God what is His.
It got me to thinking. Most Americans, including me, have looked on this in terms of money – cold, hard cash. We are careful to protest for causes dear to our hearts and put our money there. Conversely, we withhold our dollars from those causes we feel are wrong or evil.
But – what if this verse is talking about ourselves? Where are our hearts involved? What about our reactions?
How will we go through difficult times, even persecution, when it comes to making choices between Caesar and God? Americans are not used to a political yoke around our necks. I have a mental image of the bucking bronco horse of the American Old West. And the image of the proud stallion standing on the cliff overlooking the valley.
Is this attitude? Is this total dependence on God? Is this giving to God what belongs to God?
When we continue in the Bible and depend on the Holy Spirit for orders, God does promise us that He will give us the words and the courage, to say and do whatever we must WHEN we must. God is good. He assures us that it will be an occasion for our testimony.
It seems this is the example that we have witnessed in recent months around the world.
“Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contracdict or resist” Luke 21:13-15.
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