Whose Image Is On You?
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I was listening to a sermon online a little while ago which was both encouraging and challenging at the same time, and for a few moments the preacher covered the incident in which the Lord Jesus was challenged about to whom they should give tribute: |
"And they watched him, and sent forth spies; |
The preacher went on to elaborate on a fictitious question or two that could have followed that can easily be applied to our own heart. If the conversation continued at that point, what would they have replied instead of holding their peace? Perhaps they would have asked Him: "If the tribute money then goes to Caesar because his image is on it, what do we render to God?" To which the Lord would have probably asked: "Whose image and superscription is on you?" |
What a soul searching question this is, |
How about one from the Bible? We can't find a better answer to a question like that anywhere else: |
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: |
What a responsibility we have as part of God's marvellous creation to fulfil the role we were created for! However, this is not as daunting as you may first think. Perhaps after a few lines from my heart to yours you might be either challenged as to which direction your life is headed, or you may be comforted to understand just how precious you are to the One whose image you and I bear. Of course not much has changed in essence since this incident happened as recorded in the Bible; for we have to pay our way through taxes, rates and utility bills etc., to the powers that be, and most if not all of us benefit from the resources for which we are paying. And we all must respect those who are in leadership whether or not they are right or wrong in carrying out their responsibilities. |
But here is the thing - |
It is a rather sad fact that most people feel that God is holding out on them, and refuse to surrender anything to Him let alone everything! And all the while in doing so they are denying access to the only One who 'can fully satisfy the longing soul and fill the hungry soul with goodness.' (See Psalm 107: 9.) What is it that keeps people away from the Master of all Masters? It is the presence of sin in their lives that separates us from Him and deceives everyone into thinking that we do not need God in our lives, when the opposite is the truth. The coming of Jesus into the world all those years ago was not to give us a story to tell at Christmas, which for many has been reduced to 'fairy tale' status, and bears no relevance to the needs we have in 2020! But the truth is - He did come, and He came with a specific purpose. The Bible tells us: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners". I Timothy 1: 15. God gave to mankind His law to reveal to everyone their need His mercy. No one can ever keep His perfect law because basically it is reflection of His perfect, pure, and holy character. The Bible tells us of the law that 'it is our 'schoolmaster' to bring us to Christ'. (See Galatians 3: 24.) Just take an honest look at the Ten Commandments in Exodus Chapter 20, and you will understand how unlike God in our character we really are! And when we understand our dilemma we can then begin to appreciate that only God in His righteousness can solve this issue, and that is the reason why Jesus died on the cross. This is how people are saved from the eternal consequences of their sin. He has done all that is necessary. We cannot make any contribution other than comply with God's requirement to acknowledge our sin before Him, repent of it, and trust in His beloved Son with all our heart. The words of the hymn writer express beautifully what our response ought to be to such great love and mercy to the likes of people like ourselves:
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'Were the whole realm of nature mine, |
And so if we were to go back to the question: 'and what do we render to God?' answered by the all important one: 'whose image is on you?' What would your answer be? Surely it ought to be something like this: 'I owe to the living God whose image I bear, whose love towards me is beyond comprehension all that I am and have!' And seeing as: 'tribute to whom tribute is due' applies to ourselves, then all of us owe to God all that are and all we have! So what holds us back? Do we still think that God is holding out on us? Do we really think that we are going to lose out in any way if we surrender our all unto Him? Let me tell you as I know by experience, God will never withhold from one of His people any good thing, seeing as He went to the extreme to make us His own in the first place. This is how the Bible says it: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8: 32. Those to whom we give tribute in this world do not benefit us in the same way God does for those who withhold nothing from Him. We not only have a home in heaven to look forward to, but we have the promise of His presence with us every day. And everything He imparts to His people by far exceeds the value, the glory and the strength of the best this world could ever give. |
The life He gives The satisfaction He gives The quality of Life He gives His Truth The liberty He gives The peace He gives Pure Joy Heavenly riches Grace, Peace & Promises |
Well, as you can see for yourself, God doesn't give to those who fully surrender to Him anything by half measures. So be sure to give to Him that which is rightly His and just you wait and see what there is in store for you as a result. |
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, |
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There is but a step of faith between you and the One whose image you bear. Why not take it today? Here's how - It's as simple as 'ABC' |
~~~~~ why not say hello down below! ♥ |
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