Render Unto Caesar
Different ways did the religious leaders try finding ways to accuse Jesus so as to put Him to death.
Mat 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. 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
If indeed many people believe that Jesus Christ is the TRUTH, then this truth about JESUS CHRIST is very clearly discernible in our time. Jesus putting Him to death simply means putting TRUTH to sterility and inutility.
During the time of Jesus, Israel was under the rule of Rome and therefore the Jews were required to pay tribute or taxes.
Mat 22:17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 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?
Caesar was the title given to the Roman Emperor.
Mat 22:21 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.
From the preachings of Jesus Christ, very clear to the Jews that He was not concern with the political affairs of the country.
Mat 22:22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
Today, the principle of separation of church and state is adapted and enshrined in the constitution of many countries. This clearly sets in an orderly manner the conduct of affairs of these countries. The principle is not only tailor-made for a peaceful administration of the government, but also of any religious beliefs embraced by the citizens. Hence, peaceful co-existence of religions and politics is secured.
Spiritual application
Since the primary purpose of God for His words is the salvation of souls, this principle enunciated by Jesus Christ has a much deeper dimension.
Mat 22:21 Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
If to the Natural Man “Caesar” stands only for the state or government, to the chosen this refers to “physical life.” At creation, man was created in the “image of God” referring to Jesus in His role as Son of God who is the “image of the invisible God.”
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Jesus in His role as “Son of God” bared His “physical life” by earning His living peacefully and working as a carpenter, conducting His life beyond reproach.
Mar 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Here, He used His physical strength represented by the BODY that is composed of the senses, and also His “intellect and feeling” which are the attributes of the SOUL. Apart from this, He also demonstrated His “spiritual life” as He related to the Father.
Joh 5:19 … Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Clearly the Spirit of the Father and the soul of Jesus composed this unseen or His “spiritual life.” This must be the image of man at creation, also having “physical life” and “spiritual life.” After the Fall however, man lost his “spiritual life.” Having lost the Spirit of God, man that no longer had anymore relationship Him. Restoration of the “spiritual life” of man is the essence of salvation. Thus, the need to be “born again” as Jesus told Nicodemus “a master of Israel.”
Joh 3:3 … Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God
Proofs of being “born again,” now a Spiritual Man and chosen of God:
- Clear recognition of Jesus Christ as Simon Peter and Paul identifying GOD in the process. This is Jesus Christ as a human being in His primary and secondary roles:
- As the “Father in the flesh,” Jesus was to “shed blood on the cross” fulfilling His testament of salvation, called the CHRIST or Savior.
- As the “only begotten Son of God,” called the ANOINTED ONE, Jesus was to show the way as a perfect model in humility to the chosen.
This is impossible for Natural Men to accept this truth about Jesus Christ. For Peter it required the “revelation of the Father which is in heaven,” and for Paul, Jesus introduced Himself personally to him.
2. With clear recognition of Jesus Christ the chosen are transformed into “new creatures.” This is what Paul realized when our Lord called the two classes of people in the end, the “goats” on the left and the “sheep” on the right.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
3. The chosen as “sheep” have Jesus Christ as their Shepherd called, “The Lamb of God.”
Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
God uses the language of man with which the Holy Bible is written. Thus, English to the Americans and British, Spanish to the Spaniards, Tagalog to the Filipinos, and so on, and so forth. This made people think they could understand and interpret the Holy Bible resulting in different sects and denominations, each claiming the truth. The truth is, God is speaking in parables:
Psa 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Eze 20:49 Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?
This is emphatically stated by Mark in:
Mar 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
How could the Jews understand what Jesus Christ was talking about, say for example, on the commandment “Thou shalt not steal” and yet He said:
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
To them they followed the commandment to the “letter” or in this case literal stealing that they crucified the two thieves for robbing people of things they did not owned. Stealing or robbery must be a “parable” when Jesus Christ expounded it in the following:
Joh 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Jesus said He is “door.”
Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Jesus expounded further by telling Thomas:
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am … truth…
Jesus for saying, “I am the truth,” confirmed what David wrote about Him as the God in the Old Testament. This is the primary role of Jesus Christ.
Psa_31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Psa_33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
This was revealed to Paul who recognized Jesus Christ personally:
1 Cor 8:6 But to us there is but … one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Jesus further told Thomas about His secondary as SON of God, model to the chosen and their mediator:
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way…no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
And to complete His identity, Jesus told Thomas:
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
And with God’s testament of salvation, He fulfilled it with the death of JESUS CHRIST on the cross. This gave “life” to the chosen who, previously, belonged to the “congregation of the dead.”
Pro 21:16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
The Spirit God was the original form of Jesus in His role as the Father, the Creator of the universe who gave life to man, and to all living things and animals. Otherwise, He would not have revealed to Paul:
1 Cor 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Requisite for love
Love is based on the principle, “To know comes before love.” Jesus Christ considered “to know” as the “first of all the commandments.”
Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
In essence, the identity of God is actually a requisite to the two Great Commandments on love. The basic principle is, “To know comes before love.”
Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
The real “gospel”
No wonder the “real gospel” was revealed to Paul who recognized JESUS CHRIST personally. This was when he was on his way to Damascus to secure a permit from the high priest to persecute more followers of Christ. His warning:
2 Cor 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Emphasizing the real “gospel” he repeated:
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
The chosen are privileged to know the identity of God and on them He expects spiritual perfection:
Deu 18:13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. 2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
On this, the deeper meaning of “Render unto Caesar” is revealed by God through His very words.
Mat 22:21 … Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
If taking the moral aspect of the verse “Caesar” only refers to the state or government, the real message for spiritual perfection pertains to “physical life.” Reviewing the two kinds of life of the chosen, the “physical life” consists of the BODY (for the senses) and the SOUL (for the intellect and feeling.) “Spiritual life” is where the Spirit of God resides, and again, the SOUL where the intellect and feeling are solely devoted to spiritual perfection.
Amo 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Literally, this refers to two persons agreeing on certain matter be it political, economic, or scientific. For spiritual perfection however, this pertains to PHYSICAL and SPIRITUAL life. Important is the spiritual gender that God considers of His chosen.
Spiritual gender
God does not recognize physical gender as revealed to Paul in:
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
A clue is uncovered in the following:
Jer 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: Isa 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel;
Very clear from the foregoing, God is the MAN (spiritual male) and the chosen are the WOMEN (spiritual female and all people for this topic). Getting clearer now is the injunction regarding this:
Deu 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
Since God is the MAN, the following prohibition for WOMEN is evident:
1 Tim 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Cor 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
True only GOD, the man, is authorized to “speak in the churches” or to expound on His words as is currently done this article. What is seen today, the WOMEN or the people are taking the role of GOD on the matter. That is why “different truth from the Bible” are being preached, unknowingly to many, is an abomination to God.
GOD is the only MAN, but Satan trying to equal God is competing with Him. Satan planting his “seeds” unto the people is “spiritual adultery.” The “seeds” of Satan are the very words of God taken literally or to the “letter.” Paul who recognized Jesus Christ personally was revealed to him, who, the able ministers of the New Testament are:
2 Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
It is the “letter” of the word that is visible that pertains to the body. A good example is the commandment on “Thou shalt not steal…adultery…and so forth.” For “fasting” while it is written Jesus Christ did not eat for 40 days and 40 nights, Satan perceived this literally, but our Lord rebuked him, saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Thus,
2 Cor 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Much deeper message on gender
With the two kinds of life each of the chosen, God further reveals the “genders” into the following:
For “physical life” it takes a “male” gender
For “spiritual life” it is a “female” gender
This must be the message of God in the book of Revelation, where His chosen are made both “kings and priests” unto Him:
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Clearly, this cannot be literal-physical for in the resurrection of the death the “sheep” or the saved will be with God in eternity, while the “goats” or the damned have their own destination. For the truth to be immutable, or applicable to all time, the chosen are “kings” or governing their own “physical life” according to the standard set by Jesus their model in MORALITY and decency. They are, however, “priests” serving God as Jesus showed the standard of SPIRITUALITY. Jesus Christ used “cleanliness of the cup and platter” to illustrate this principle.
For SPIRITUAL life for “spirituality”
Mat 23:26 … cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
For PHYSICAL life for “morality”
Mat 23:26 … cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
He rebuked the religious leaders for being limited to the “letter” of the law. To our Lord this is only “cleanliness of the OUTSIDE the cup and platter” for MORALITY. For not even knowing HIM, they cannot comprehend “cleaning the INSIDE of the cup and platter” that is SPIRITUALITY. MORALITY pertains to “physical life” that ends in the cemetery. It is SPIRITUALITY that leads the chosen to eternal life with God.
The Natural Man
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The Natural Man in the eyes of God does not know Him. He uses the Holy Bible but this is limited to the “letter” or literal message. He therefore strives for MORALITY to earn salvation. This is exactly what Jesus Christ saw in the religious leaders, rebuking them in the whole of Matthew 23. (It is worth reviewing this chapter now.) Their perception of Jesus Christ is limited to the dictate of the “intellect and senses,” hence, His sharp rebuke:
Joh 8:54 …: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him…
Joh 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
The Spiritual Man
1 Cor 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The Holy Spirit is the Teacher of the Spiritual Man, for with his humility God reveals the “spirit” or spiritual message of the words in the Holy Bible that are expressed in parable:
1 Joh 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie…
1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Bearing in mind the two kinds of life of the chosen, Jesus Christ told them:
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Can we now relate “light” with SPIRITUALITY for the “inside of the cup and platter, and “salt” to MORALITY for the “outside of the cup and platter”? The Natural Man is limited to RELIGIOSITY that is what Jesus Christ saw in the religious leaders of His time. Now the intended message of the following can now be fully appreciated:
Amo 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Physical and spiritual life must “walk together” in harmony. The chosen for “physical life” must use God-given characteristics made up of BODY and SOUL. This is what was heard from Jesus Christ:
Mat 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Of all animals, only man was provided with a kind of BODY, consisting of all the senses and physical strength; and a SOUL whose attributes are the intellect and feeling that are exclusive to him. For physical existence therefore, God expects man to be “king” governing himself completely providing for all his needs to live a comfortable and peaceful life. This presupposes the use of the intellect and feeling taking on MORALITY. Unwittingly, this is man’s general concept of RELIGIOSITY, but out of sight is SPIRITUALITY. It is hoped many people understand and feel Jesus’ admonition that pertains to spiritual perfection of man:
Mat 23:26 … cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
PHYSICAL LIFE
For “physical life” Jesus in His role as Son of God worked as a carpenter:
Mar 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Financial or material needs for the body must not be implored from God as exemplified in the following:
Pro 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Neither should physical ailments or diseases be implored from God since it was clearly demonstrated by Jesus Christ that His healings refer to the soul and not to the body.
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
2 Cor 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
This was demonstrated when He opened the eyes of the man born blind.
John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
Jesus Christ recognized the profession of Luke, a physician. Therefore, for physical sickness the chosen are expected to see a physician:
Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
Since the chosen are still on earth living with the rest of the people, they are enjoined to submit to the authority of civil authorities. Simon Peter who recognized Jesus Christ by divine revelation wrote:
1 Pet 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
The same instruction was given to Paul who recognized Jesus Christ personally:
Rom 13:1 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. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
For “physical life” the chosen are expected to maximize God-endowed “human intelligence” to pursue a respectable life, with a healthy body. And with the soul whose attribute is “feeling,” it is expected of them a wholesome relationship in the family, society, and law abiding to be qualified as “salt of the earth” as Jesus told His Disciples:
Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
SPIRITUAL LIFE
For “spiritual life” Jesus in His role as Son of God showed His complete humility, demonstrating how to be “poor in spirit.”
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Only the chosen can understand what “fully dependent on the Father” means as Jesus in His role as SON demonstrated this in His lifetime:
Joh 5:19 …Jesus…said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
The chosen can learn “not following their own will” as their model showed by example, saying:
Joh 5:30 … as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
This is how Jesus carried out His “spiritual life” as model to the chosen:
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Simon Peter who recognized Jesus Christ “by the revelation of the Father” in like manner wrote this for the chosen:
1 Pet 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Hence, the chosen with humility strive to avoid these taboos:
Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Jer 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm… 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
This is the kind of “walk” that God requires His chosen for their “spiritual life.”
Amo 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Can those who have not recognized CHRIST as Paul and Peter accept the foregoing character or personality of JESUS? From this alone, the warning of Jesus Christ regarding the “false prophets and apostles” can be clearly discerned:
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before.
In another instance
In another instance, Jesus Christ was again tested by the Pharisees regarding the matter:
Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Very clear coming from our Lord, the chosen are to pay tribute to the government and to God as generally perceived refers to religious matter. However, as discussed earlier, since the word of God is “spiritual” intended to save the soul rather than the body, “Caesar” refers to “physical life” and to “God” for the “spiritual life” of the chosen. However, switching further from literal to spiritual, we heard this from our Lord regarding the “source of tribute for physical and spiritual life.”
Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
“Go to the sea” – where “sea” symbolizes the “way of the Lord” in the following.
Psa 77:19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. Isa 43:16 Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
“fish” – symbolizes men and as regards “spiritual matters” they have no true ruler but God:
Hab 1:14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?
The “fish” – for the chosen find the “way of the Lord in the sea.” This refers to divine revelations from His words. Therefore, what is to be given as “tribute” to Caesar and to God is not money or anything of pecuniary value, but for “physical life” and “spiritual life.”
For “physical life” – with God-given human capability to know what is right and for the chosen to do:
Mat 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
The chosen become “salt of the earth” for people to see them by example. This “way” or approach must have come from spiritual principle enunciated by God regarding “physical life” as earlier discussed.
For “spiritual life” – with God directing the soul, Jesus in His role as Son the model for the chosen, follow the “way” leading to eternal life. Did not Jesus tell Thomas?
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way…no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
For this the chosen become “light of the world” for people to discern the truth in them as Jesus, the model, in His role as Son of God.
Chosen exempt from tribute
And now this is something, in the mind of the Natural Man that nullified everything that was discussed:
Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
How could Jesus say, “Then are the children free” for this decree of paying tribute that exempts the chosen, and “only the strangers” are subject thereof. This is a classic demonstration of how God reveals things that is hidden from the eyes of everybody. Long ago in the Old Testament God made a decree exempting His chosen from “paying tribute.”
Ezra 7:24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
Very far now from the realm of human wisdom that “strangers” or the rest of the people are “richer in the eyes of God” than the chosen; being so, the “strangers” became their “supporter” or helper. Jesus Christ Himself recognized this “superiority” of the people over His followers, saying:
Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
In worldly affairs, who can deny that the followers of Christ or the chosen are inept, less capable, and incompetent? Surely, the chosen benefit from the people as Solomon realized and wrote:
Pro 27:27 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.
God refers to the people on His left as “goats.”
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
God is glorified from all His creation. For how could the “true gospel” be preached throughout the world without the technology, tools, and proficiency that all these came from the efforts of these people. Did not Jesus command His Disciples to preach the gospel, and this relates to His clear identity?
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
The TRUTH revealed by God from His words can now be accessed through the Internet in the website www.purechristianity.org and in the book and pamphlets available to many people. Do we need to cite details that everybody knows regarding advance in science and technology that “every nook and corner” the true gospel can now be heard.
THE CHOSEN FEW
To the chosen few, this is how Jesus in His role as Son leads them on the “Way” to eternal life. For their life on earth, they are distinct from the rest of the people that they are hated as Jesus forewarned them:
Joh 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
During the time of Christ, the two sects Pharisees and Sadducees were constantly opposing each other. However when they met our Lord, together they scorned Him. This was seen in the Apostles afterward. Today, the same is observed by the “chosen few” for having the truth, together the sects ridicule them. In this world, life is not easy for the chosen that our Lord warned those following Him:
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Humility is the beginning and ending of the chosen’s “work for salvation” that Paul advised the believers:
Phi 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
If humility were easy, then many people would have clearly identified Jesus Christ as Simon Peter did. And it is only after identifying Him that the identity of God is finally revealed. And so, the revelation of the secret from His words:
Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
That is how Paul in his letter to the Christians of Corinth and Galatia taught the true gospel:
2 Cor 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
It is only after identifying the true Christ that a person becomes a “new creature,” that is, from “spiritual goat” to “spiritual sheep” like Jesus the Lamb of God.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Then, and only then, can the chosen understand and speak the “spiritual language” of the Lamb. This is “speaking in tongues.” And as the “eldest Son” went through rigorous trials, so are His brethren. Everybody is familiar how Job suffered from the trials imposed by Satan. Of course this is with the permission of God. In spite of all these, Job had the patience holding on to his righteousness:
Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. 7 Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
Job 29:12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. 13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. 15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. 16 I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. 17 And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
Job in suffering thought about his good deeds.
Job 31:3 Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? 4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? 5 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; 6 Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity. 7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands; 8 Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out. 9 If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door; 10 Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her. 11 For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges. 12 For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase. 16 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; 17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; 19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; 21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless… 22 Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. 24 If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; 25 If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; 27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: 28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. 29 If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: 32 The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller. 39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: 40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.
It did not take long Job buckled down and suffered self-pity;
Job 30:16 And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me. 17 My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest. 19 He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. 20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not. 21 Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.
From the tenor of Job’s articulation, it appears that all these sufferings and affliction were carried out of his own personal capability. This was not the “way” Jesus in His role as Son, model to the chosen, demonstrated it. Constantly reminding His Disciples, Jesus completely depended on the Father:
Joh 5:19 … Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself…
And, He entrusted to the Father everything that would befall Him:
Joh 5:30 … I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
So that when Jesus realized His impending sufferings were too great to bear He shed “sweat of blood.”
Luk 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Therefore, when the time came for Him to face this great trial, Jesus demonstrated His total meekness and submissiveness to the Father:
Luk 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
As we read about the sufferings of Jesus however heavy and severe they were, peace was with Him. The soldiers called Simon of Cyrene to help Him carry the cross thinking He could not reach Golgotha for His crucifixion:
Mat 27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
For the torture that the soldiers imposed on Jesus, the women of Jerusalem took pity on Him:
Luk 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
With the example shown by Jesus, the severity of suffering and pain was made bearable with the kind of “peace” provided by the Father. This is “spirituality” that Jesus demonstrated in contrast with Job’s “religiosity.”
In the end, God knowing that Job would eventually humble himself, He challenged him:
Job 40:1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, 2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. 3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. 5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further. 6 Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? 9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? 10 Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. 11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. 12 Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. 13 Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
In the end, God recompensed whatever Satan took from Job and blessed him even more. The lesson we learned from Job is, “religiosity” can never be substituted with “spirituality.” We must realize that man’s effort is definitely short of God’s requisite for salvation.
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