Imago Dei
Part 1
'What belongs to Caesar?'
The 'Imago Dei', 'image of God', it resonates throughout the scripture,
summed up in Genesis 1:27 "So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them, male and female he created them."This is a foundational statement for Christian faith, ethics, and so forth. You are made in the image of God and the fact that He made you (in His image) gives you great value and worth. As the psalmist wrote 'I am fearfully and wonderfully made.' Some think this is obvious and does not need to be stated, but I find the opposite is true, people don't believe it. They sense that their lives do not matter to God or to man. It is the lie we hear played over and over in our heads, that we do not matter, that no one cares, that God is too busy to notice us, and that our life doesn't matter. And because we believe that lie, we can easily fall prey to those who would try and give us value in God's place.
It's an important idea. More than an idea really. One of the essentials that holds humanity together. And an essential that if misunderstood can destroy us. There are several directions we could take this thought, but since we are still in the election season, I am still focusing on politics. You see, because we are made in the image of God, He has a claim to us. A right and authority over our lives and because of that 'right' it brings up that question about Caesar. What belongs to Caesar, and what belongs to God? I first want to discuss what belongs to Caesar. You see the statement from the previous blog is still in my thinking. What does belong to Caesar?
To understand what belongs to Caesar I think one has to grasp what is upholding Caesar. Is he an opposing power, meaning equal to God? Or is he part of God's plan and subject to Him as well? If you study the scripture in the Old Testament, it would seem that God had a system of judges in mind at first to rule His people (this is of course not taking into account that ultimately God's desire was to simply have fellowship with mankind in the garden), but they wanted something more, a king like all the other kids on the block had. And so God granted them their wish, letting them know that they would also get taxes, wars, and the king's will along with it. But God also said 'that the heart of the king is in his hands...like a river he turns it as He wills.' Proverbs 21:1. And from my last post, I suggested reading Daniel chapter 4 for a deeper understanding of God's role in government. If you do read it, then call to mind the very last verse (37), "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." This was said after the king regained his reason and if you go back to verse 30 you find out that Nebuchadnezzar said: "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" and then a voice from heaven said (v 31, 32) "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes." NASB. So God actually demonstrated grace upon King Neb; as he showed him that He is even in control of the King’s life, and King Neb in the end recognized that.
So the lesson for us is to know that no matter who is ruler, what they are like, it is God that determines their limits. We may suffer or enjoy their reign but it is God that is in control. And he reminds us in His word that He will have the final say and in the end close out all that rule and reign; (see Revelation 19:11-16) but see v. 15, 16: ‘From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."’
And in light of these boundaries what does belong to Caesar? From the story (Mark 12:13-17) where Jesus says to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” we at least learn that we owe Caesar taxes, as it’s his money stamped with his image, so give it back to him. (We’ll come back to this idea of ‘image’, so don’t forget that you are ‘stamped’ with God’s image!) Other things we owe Caesar include (see Romans 13:1-7): “to do good” v3, “be in subjection” v5, and finally whatever “is due” including “tax…custom…fear…honor” v7; (see also I Peter 2:13-20). I am not saying this is fun, the way to get ahead, or even from the current state of society and government, seemingly worth it; but it is to obey Christ, one who did submit to the Roman authorities, even to the point of death.
So we can conclude that there are things that God has given the government reign over. As indicated in my previous post, I will vote, whether I like the candidates or not. My ‘liking’ or ‘disliking’ is immaterial. I will vote out of obedience to the governmental system under who’s authority I am under, by the grace and will of God. And I will vote to honor those who have defended that right. No matter the outcome, or whether my vote seemingly mattered, I will rest in knowing that I obeyed God, giving honor and fear to the democratic republic I am a part of.
Now, this is not the final word on this matter, as there is an entirely new set of questions to be answered. You see, when Jesus said to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s”, ‘Caesar’ is only part of the issue. We must also give to ‘God’ what belongs to Him. This is where it really starts to get interesting, as these two ‘renderings’ sometimes come into conflict. They are not really in conflict if we ‘render’ rightly, but sparks may fly nonetheless! At least from our perspective on earth. From God’s perspective in heaven there is not really a conflict as He knows His perfect will is to be accomplished no matter what; and He asks us to trust Him in this matter.
Be comforted in the knowledge of being made in His image! He will never leave or forsake us, no matter what the outcome is. God asks us to trust Him with our future. Do not lose hope!
NEXT:
IMAGO DEI – PART 2 – ‘WHAT BELONGS TO GOD?’
