Render to Caesar the Things That Are Caesar's as an Act of Rendering to God What Is God's | John Piper

Deep Dive into All That Jesus Commanded by John Piper - Render to Caesar the Things That Are Caesar's as an Act of Rendering to God What Is God'sLove demands resistance when passive compliance would be unloving, harmful to others, or make one an active accomplice to evil, moving beyond mere personal suffering. While Jesus taught principles of non-resistance like turning the other cheek, active love for enemies and seeking their good can necessitate a different response. This includes situations where someone else is being repeatedly harmed, or when obedience would mean supporting bloodshed or strangling an infant. In such "flash points," love may require action, akin to Jesus driving money-changers from the temple.Jesus's followers pay taxes not because earthly authorities are inherently supreme, but as an act of acknowledging Jesus's supreme lordship and ownership over all things. By rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's, they are ultimately rendering to God what is God's. This practice also serves the greater good and helps avoid giving offense, as exemplified by Jesus paying the temple tax despite being free from it. It is an act of obedience to their Father, God, who bids them to do so.These earthly allegiances are strictly limited by absolute allegiance to Jesus Christ. Followers must disobey Caesar when he demands what God forbids, or when he demands the denial of supreme allegiance to God, even if it costs them their lives. Jesus himself modeled civil disobedience when confronted by Herod, Pilate, or the high priest. This resistance, when compelled by love, is not vindictive or self-serving, but is instead characterized by humility, quiet resolve, and a focus on living for the good of all, including oppressors, reflecting the radical difference King Jesus makes in every relationship.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730