GIVE TO GOD WHAT BELONGS TO GOD
We know from Scripture that what belongs to Caesar like taxes should be given to Caesar. But what about what belongs to God? How do we properly give to God what is His, according to Luke 20:25?
Let’s read Luke 20:21–26 from the English Standard Version (ESV) to understand this better:
Luke 20:21-26 (ESV):
21 Then they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and you do not show partiality, but teach the way of God truthfully.
22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
23 But he perceived their craftiness and said to them,
24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?”
They said, “Caesar’s.”
25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
26 And they were not able in any way to catch him in a speech before the people. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.
Jesus uses a powerful theological principle here—recognizing ownership by the image and inscription on the coin. Since the coin bears Caesar’s image, it rightfully belongs to Caesar.
This raises a deeper spiritual truth: just as the coin bears Caesar’s image, we bear God’s image. The Bible teaches this clearly:
Genesis 1:27 (ESV):
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
Being created in God’s image (imago Dei) means that our very essence body, soul, and spirit reflects God’s character and belongs to Him. This theological truth has profound implications for how we live and honor God.
The Apostle Paul expands on this in his letter to the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV):
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Here Paul reminds us that our bodies are not just biological entities; they are temples of the Holy Spirit. Because God’s Spirit dwells within believers, our bodies and lives are sacred, purchased by Christ’s sacrifice.
Furthermore:
1 Corinthians 6:13 (ESV):
“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”
This teaches that our bodies are meant for God’s purposes, not for sin or immorality. To sin against our bodies is to dishonor God, whose image we bear.
How do we give God what belongs to Him?
1. BY BEING SAVED
Salvation is the starting point. It means surrendering our spirit to Jesus through repentance and baptism both water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit as Jesus commanded (Mark 16:16, ESV: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved”). When we believe in Christ and give Him our lives, we return to God what is rightfully His.
2. BY TURNING AWAY FROM SIN
Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 6:13 reminds us that living in purity honors God. Sexual immorality, substance abuse, immodest dressing, or any sin that harms our bodies is an affront to God’s ownership of us. Since we bear God’s image, our bodies should be treated with reverence and holiness (Romans 12:1, ESV: “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God”).
Summary
Just as the coin with Caesar’s image belongs to Caesar, we belong to God because we are made in His image. Therefore, our souls and bodies belong to God and must be given to Him fully—through salvation, holiness, and faithful living.
May the Lord bless you richly as you honor Him with all that you are.
NO ONE STOOD WITH HIM WHEN JOSEPH REVEALED HIMSELF TO HIS BROTHERS
Genesis 45:1 – NIV
“Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, ‘Have everyone leave my presence!’ So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.”
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The story of Joseph is one of the clearest prophetic foreshadowings of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. Though betrayed and sold by his own brothers, Joseph did not perish in obscurity. Instead, by the providence of God, he was elevated to a place of power in Egypt and became the instrument of salvation for many during a global famine.
One of the most profound moments in this narrative is when Joseph reveals himself to his brothers (Genesis 45). He does not make this revelation publicly before the Egyptians those who had embraced and honored him but instead commands everyone to leave the room. In that intimate moment, only Joseph and his eleven brothers remain.
This detail is not accidental. It carries deep theological significance that foreshadows God’s redemptive plan.
Joseph, in many ways, prefigures Jesus Christ. Jesus was sent first to the Jews, His own people. Yet Scripture tells us:
John 1:11 – ESV
“He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.”
Jesus, like Joseph, was rejected by His brethren. They did not recognize Him as their Messiah. Instead of receiving Him, they handed Him over to be crucified (Matthew 27:22-25). But this rejection led to salvation being offered to the Gentiles the nations just as Egypt, a foreign land, became the place where Joseph was exalted and used by God.
Romans 11:11 – ESV
“So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.”
Today, we Gentiles rejoice in this grace, having accepted the Messiah. Jesus Christ has become the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20), not only for Israel but for all who believe. However, just as Joseph’s brothers eventually recognized him, the day is coming when Israel will also recognize Jesus as their true Messiah.
The prophet Zechariah foretold this moment of national repentance:
Zechariah 12:10 – NIV
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child…”
This moment mirrors Genesis 45, when Joseph’s brothers wept after finally realizing who he truly was. Israel, too, will mourn when their eyes are opened, and they realize that Jesus, whom they pierced, is indeed their long-awaited Messiah.
But notice: before Joseph could reveal himself, he first sent the Egyptians away. Likewise, before Christ reveals Himself to Israel in the last days, He will first remove His Church from the earth in the event known as the rapture.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – ESV
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command… And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive… will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…”
Only after this removal will Jesus turn His focus to the Jewish nation during the period known as Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:27), or the seven-year tribulation. During this time:
- Israel will come to national repentance (Romans 11:25–27).
- The Antichrist will rise to persecute them (Matthew 24:15–22; Revelation 13).
- God will judge the world for its rebellion (Revelation 6–18).
- Jesus will return in glory to rescue Israel and establish His millennial kingdom (Zechariah 14:3–9; Revelation 19:11–16).
Romans 11:26 – ESV
“And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.’”
Dear friend, we are living in the final moments before these prophetic events unfold. Since 1948, Israel has been reestablished as a sovereign nation—a clear fulfillment of end-times prophecy (Ezekiel 37). The signs Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24 are being fulfilled before our eyes.
What are we waiting for now? Only the sound of the trumpet. No more prophecies need to be fulfilled before the rapture. It could happen at any moment.
If the rapture were to occur today, the world would only have seven years remaining before the return of Christ in judgment and glory. Don’t ignore this truth. Don’t delay your decision. This is the time to examine your life and align yourself with God’s plan.
If you’ve never been born again, do not wait.
To be born again:
- Repent of your sins—turn away from them with genuine sorrow and intention to change (Acts 3:19).
- Be baptized in water—by full immersion, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38).
- Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit—the promised seal of salvation and power for holy living (Ephesians 1:13; Acts 2:39).
If you need help with repentance, baptism, or understanding more, we are here to help. Contact us using the numbers provided.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
DON’T FLIRT WITH SIN — STAY FAR FROM IT
Did you know that just getting close to sin is already a form of disobedience even before any action takes place?
When God gave Adam and Eve His command in the Garden of Eden, He didn’t merely say, “Do not eat” from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He also warned them not to touch it. This was a clear call to complete separation from what was forbidden not even physical closeness was allowed.
Genesis 3:2–3 (ESV):
“And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
This detail “neither shall you touch it” often goes unnoticed. But it reveals an important theological truth: sin often begins before the outward act. The inward desires and subtle compromises are what make us vulnerable (see James 1:14–15).
James 1:14–15 (NIV):
“But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
Eve didn’t eat the fruit without first reaching out, holding it, examining it. That small action of touching began the process of disobedience. It’s a reminder that temptation doesn’t appear suddenly it grows step by step, often through curiosity, compromise, and contact.
God had good reason to forbid even touching the fruit. He was protecting humanity from the process of sin. Theologically, this shows us the principle of “fleeing” temptation not reasoning with it, not testing boundaries.
Paul reinforces this in the New Testament:
1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV):
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
Notice the command is not to resist or debate but to flee. Joseph is a clear example. When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, Joseph didn’t stay and argue. He ran physically fleeing the situation (Genesis 39:12). That’s wisdom in action.
Today, many Christians want to live close to the line without crossing it. But spiritually, this is dangerous ground. Just being near sin whether in behavior, thoughts, or entertainment exposes us to temptation.
Someone might say, “I’m not committing adultery,” yet their phone is filled with provocative images, sensual music, worldly films, and ungodly group chats. These are subtle doorways to compromise.
Paul urges believers to avoid even the appearance of evil:
1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV):
“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Even the company we keep matters. Scripture warns us that our environment shapes our behavior:
1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV):
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’”
You cannot say you’ve turned from gossip if you spend time with people who gossip. Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself joining in. The same goes for anger, profanity, pride, or any other sin listed in Galatians 5:19–21.
Galatians 5:19–21 (NIV):
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy… I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Adam and Eve were told not to eat or even touch the forbidden fruit. The same principle applies today. We must avoid the roots, the branches, and the entire tree of sin. Because often, touching is the first step toward tasting.
Conclusion:
Approaching sin whether physically, mentally, or digitally is dangerous. We deceive ourselves when we think we can manage temptation on our own. God’s Word calls us to radical separation, not cautious closeness.
Let us stay vigilant, depend on the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16), and ask for the grace to walk wisely:
Galatians 5:16 (ESV):
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Maranatha—The Lord is coming.
