Part 7
OUR DUTY TO GOD AND MAN
1. "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's"
Mark 12:17
2. "Swear not at all" Matt.5:34-37;
Mark 4:22
3. "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" Matt. 19:5-6
4. "Agree with thine adversary quickly" Matt. 5:25
5. "We saw one casting out devils in thy name - Forbid him not"
Mark 9:38-40
6. "Eat such things as are set before you"
Luke 10:8
Added (7). "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost"
John 6:12
The first item most folks do not have a problem with – or do they? Giving to “Caesar” seems rather easy, pay your taxes and follow the other laws of the land, as we are instructed to do. But the question really is, “Do we give unto God ‘all’ that is God’s?
Now we come to one of the wonderful paradoxes in the Bible. Number two instructs us not to swear [an oath] at all, yet under the O.T. instructions we are given many examples of where and in what manner of swearing an oath. What gives? To unravel this apparent contradiction one must dig into the word – from a Hebrew point of view. Also study Matthew chapters five through seven, not just read them.
Did God actually join you to your spouse together – or was that of your own doing? Think about it! How many marriages have you participated in where you asked God to bless the union before being convinced that God had already given His approval for it?
Now, here is another tricky one. What does it mean to “agree with your adversary”? Quickly? Context is still everything!
Now, in number five we have a real problem. One of the major problems that have been discussed on these forums has been what to do about false teachers and those who exercise spiritual authority who’ life simply does not measure up to biblical standards – especially among the ministry?
Then, there is number six. This is NOT speaking about eating pork! Jesus is a Jew speaking to Jews, so eating non-kosher foods is not the issue. If that is the case, then what is Jesus referring to? As usual with the instructions Jesus has given, there is a deeper spiritual issue being addressed.
Finally, number seven (added instruction). This instruction was given to specific men at a specific time for a specific purpose. Have you ever asked yourself why Jesus expressed such concern over the leftovers? Now, granted there was a big mess there, baskets full. But cleaning up the mess was not what Jesus was concerned about. So …?
The following list is very similar to the list just above (Duty to God and Man). It is also very similar to the Ten Commandments –
OUR DUTY TO OUR NEIGHBOR
1. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" Matt.19:17-19
2. "Thou shalt do no murder" Matt. 19:18
3. "Thou shalt not commit adultery" Matt. 19:18
4. "Thou shalt not steal" Matt. 19:18
5. "Thou shalt not bear false witness" Matt. 19:18
6. "Honor thy father and thy mother" Matt. 19:19
7. "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise"
Luke 6:31
I think these instructions are rather self-explanatory. Yet, the eternal questions remain, (1) Who is my neighbor, (2) Do I hate someone (kill them in my heart), (3) Have I lusted after another’s spouse or someone else, (4) Do I ever take that which is not mine to have, (5) Have I ever lied or ‘shaded’ the truth by either adding to or taking away from (omission) of facts concerning an event or situation, (6) How do I honor my mother and father, and how do I dishonor them, and (7) Is this not like number one? Hmmm.
Another ‘hard’ one for your consideration