July 6 Hard Questions Notes
When Politics Divide
In the face of obvious confusion, division, and frustration, we must look to scripture and have a clear
biblical understanding of unity and Christian citizenship:
UNITY
(1 Corinthians 1:10-17; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 17:20-23; Ephesians 2:11-22; Colossians 3:9-16; Psalm 133:1-3; Hebrews 10:24-25)
The importance of unity…
- When Christians are united in Christ, the world sees that Jesus was sent by the Father, and Jesus loves His church. (John 17:21, 23)
- Christian unity is important because of God’s glory. (Romans 15:5-6)
- Christian unity is based on Christ and His truth. (Eph. 4:14-16)
- Christian unity is important for the progress of our missional mandate. (Matt. 28:18-20)
Biblical unity requires us to:
- Be humble. Be gentle. Be patient. Bear with one another in love (Ephesians 4:1-3).
- Hold fast to the word preached by the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:2).
- Remember that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are the matters of “first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:3).
- Do not quarrel over opinions (Romans 14:1).
- If you are strong, “bear with the failings of the weak” (Romans 15:1).1
CITIZENSHIP
Philippians 3:20 (NASB95) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 13:1–7 (NASB95) Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Paul instructed the church to live in subjection to civil authority and to exemplify good citizenship.
You are to live in subjection to civil authority and to exemplify good citizenship.
These verses help with…
- Perspective
- Priority
- Responsibility
Question? How does my citizenship in the kingdom of God impact my earthly responsibilities as a citizen?
Matthew 22:15–22 (NASB95) — Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. “Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? “Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.
The question:
17 “Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”
Poll-tax translates kēnsos, taken from the Latin (i.e., Roman) censeµre, from which is derived the English census. Of the many taxes the Romans exacted from occupied territories, none was more onerous to Jews than the poll-tax, a tax payable yearly by every individual and therefore sometimes called the head tax. Among other things, it was for the purpose of collecting the poll-tax that Rome took a periodic census, such as the one that had required Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem just before Jesus was born (Luke 2:1–4). Paying for the support of the occupying forces and providing the many beneficial services for which Rome was famous required an enormous amount of money, necessarily supplied by taxation. Consequently, a land tax of one tenth of the grain and one fifth of the wine and oil produced was assessed annually, as was a one percent income tax on wage earners. Customs taxes on merchandise were collected at all ports and major crossroads. 2
Jesus clearly expected believers to exercise their citizenship as a matter of Christian stewardship.
The exercise of your citizenship is a matter of Christian stewardship.
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:21
1. Christians have obligations to both God and country.
“The best citizen is a Christian citizen.” – Warren Wiersbe
a. Dual citizens
Clearly Paul was a man who understood his heavenly citizenship.
i. Heavenly (Phil. 3:17-21; Eph. 2:19; Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:6)
The word citizenship in Phil. 3:20 is the word, politeuma, from which we get our word politics.
ii. Earthly (Titus 3:1; Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-3; 1 Peter 2:13-15)
b. Duty of citizenship
i. Duty to earthly authority is limited and secondary. (Matt. 22:21)
ii. Duty to God’s authority is unlimited and primary. (Matt. 6:9-10,33; Luke 12:31; Acts 5:28-29)
2. Citizenship in God’s kingdom determines your… (Rev. 11:15, 15:3-5)
1 Thessalonians 2:12 (NASB95) — so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
“What does it mean to be a Christian in America today? In a word, it means to be Christ-like.” – Adrian Rogers
a. Identity
b. Loyalty
Joining the local church is a proclamation to all of the Caesars of the world: “You are not the king. Jesus is.” (Acts 17:7) – Chad Ashby
c. Priority
“This is a lesson evangelicals ought to know from church history. Whenever the church has focused on evangelism and preaching the gospel, her influence has increased. When she has sought power by political, cultural, or military activism, she has damaged or spoiled her testimony.” – John MacArthur
d. Eternity (Rev. 11:15,15:3-5)
Let’s go back to the question that was asked of Jesus and his response. They wanted to know should we pay taxes or not? Jesus’ response was simple: “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:21
FINAL THOUGHTS
Foot Notes
- https://radicallychristian.com/why-christian-unity-is-so-very-important/
- MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1985). Matthew (Mt 22:15). Chicago: Moody Press.