Discourse on Keeping Oneself Apart From the World

8/3/2019 Discourse on Keeping Oneself Apart From the World

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Discourse on Keeping Oneself Apart From The World

INTRODUCTION:

Now is a very critical time and it is imperative that all footstep

followers of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ keep themselves apart from the

things of the world, i.e., the worldly system of wrong doing and sin.

Or as Jesus (Yeshua) stated it at Mark 12:17, "And Jesus said unto

them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the

things that are God's. And they marvelled greatly at him." (American

Standard Version; ASV). Now just what are the world's or Caesar's

things and what are the things owing to God (YHWH)? Let's find out:

THE WORLD RULERS SHOULD BE SHOWN RESPECT, BUT NOT WORSHIP:

Clearly in Romans 13:1-7 it is shown what is owed to worldly rulers,

"Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no

power but of God; and the `powers' that be are ordained of God. 2

Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of

God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. 3

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Andwouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and

thou shalt have praise from the same: 4 for he is a minister of God to

thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he

beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger

for wrath to him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore `ye' must needs be in

subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience'

sake. 6 For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of

God's service, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render to

all their dues: tribute to whom tribute `is due'; custom to whom

custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor." (ASV); and Titus 3:1,

"Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be

obedient, to be ready unto every good work," (ASV); and 1 Timothy 2:1-

3, "I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers,

intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; 2 for kings and all

that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in

all godliness and gravity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight

of God our Saviour;" (ASV); and Acts 26:1-3, "And Agrippa said unto

Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched

forth his hand, and made his defence: 2 I think myself happy, king

Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before thee this day touching all

the things whereof I am accused by the Jews: 3 especially because thou

art expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews:

wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently." (ASV).

WE SHOULD PAY OUR TAXES FOR SERVICES RENDERED:

The Bible clearly shows we should pay taxes for services rendered whichof course are many, and this is made clear at Luke 20:21-25, "And they

asked him, saying, Teacher, we know that thou sayest and teachest

rightly, and acceptest not the person `of any', but of a truth teachest

the way of God: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or

not? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, 24 Show

me a denarius. Whose image and superscription hath it? And they said,

Caesar's. 25 And he said unto them, Then render unto Caesar the things

that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." (ASV); and

highlighted by Romans 13:7, "Render to all their dues: tribute to whom


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tribute `is due'; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to

whom honor." (ASV).

TRUE CHRISTIANS SHOULD OBEY THE WORLD'S LAWS FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE IF

THEY DO NOT TRANSGRESS THE WORD OF GOD (YHWH):

This is clearly shown in Romans 13:5-6, previously quoted and in 1

Peter 3:16-17, "having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken

against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life

in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that

ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing." (ASV); and at Acts

24:16, "Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of

offence toward God and men always." (ASV).

TRUE CHRISTIAN SUBJECTION TO POLITICAL AUTHORITIES DOES NOT IGNORE

SUPREME AUTHORITY OF GOD (YHWH):

As was highlighted in the introduction by a quote from Jesus (Yeshua)

at Mark 12:17, "And Jesus said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things

that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. And they

marvelled greatly at him." (ASV) we are to render our obedience firstto God (YHWH), and only to worldly rulers when they do NOT demand what

is only due God (YHWH). This fact was even recognized by Caliph

Saladin who was a Muslim as being a fact, and reinforced by Matthew

22:21, "'Then pay Caesar what is due to Caesar, and pay God what is due

to God.'" (the New English Bible; NEB); and at 1 Peter 2:13-15, "Be

subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the

king, as supreme; 14 or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on

evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. 15 For so is the will

of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of

foolish men:" (ASV).

OUR WORSHIP AND DEVOTION IS TO GOD (YHWH) AND NOT TO CAESAR:

Our worship and devotion belong to God (YHWH) and not to Caesar as

shown at Psalms 66:8-9, "Bless our God, all nations; let his praise be

heard far and near. He sets us in the land of the living; he keeps our

feet from stumbling." (NEB); and at Revelation 7:9-10, "After these

things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number,

out of every nation and of `all' tribes and peoples and tongues,

standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes,

and palms in their hands; 10 and they cry with a great voice, saying,

Salvation unto our God who sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb."

(ASV); and at Revelation 14:6-7, "And I saw another angel flying in mid

heaven, having eternal good tidings to proclaim unto them that dwell on

the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7 and

he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour

of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven and theearth and sea and fountains of waters." (ASV).

CONCLUSION, WHEN CAESAR'S LAWS CONFLICT WITH GOD'S (YHWH'S) LAWS:

Now when the laws of the land conflict with God's (YHWH's) laws, we

must obey the laws of God (YHWH) as they take precedence over all

others. This is clearly shown by the example of several of the

Apostles at Acts 5:27:29, "And when they had brought them, they set

them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, We


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strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have

filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's

blood upon us. 29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must

obey God rather than men." (ASV); and reaffirmed at Acts 5:19-20, "But

an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them

out, and said, 20 Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the

people all the words of this Life." (ASV); and by Acts 4:18-20, "And

they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the

name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them,

Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than

unto God, judge ye: 20 for we cannot but speak the things which we saw

and heard." (ASV).

This was also testified to in the Old Testament [Hebrew Testament] at

Daniel 3:16-17 by example, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego have

answered, yea, they are saying to the king Nebuchadnezzar, `We have no

need concerning this matter to answer thee 17 Lo, it is; our God whom

we are serving, is able to deliver us from a burning fiery furnace; and

from thy hand, O king, He doth deliver 18 And lo -- not! be it known

to thee, O king, that thy gods we are not serving, and to the golden

image thou hast raised up we do no obeisance.'" (Young's LiteralTranslation; YLT); and at Exodus 1:17-20, "And the midwives fear God,

and have not done as the king of Egypt hath spoken unto them, and keep

the lads alive; 18 and the king of Egypt calleth for the midwives, and

saith to them, `Wherefore have ye done this thing, and keep the lads

alive?' 19 And the midwives say unto Pharaoh, `Because the Hebrew women

`are' not as the Egyptian women, for they `are' lively; before the

midwife cometh in unto them -- they have borne!' 20 And God doth good

to the midwives, and the people multiply, and are very mighty; 21 and

it cometh to pass, because the midwives have feared God, that He maketh

for them households;" (YLT).

Your Friend in Christ Iris89

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Discourse on Keeping Oneself Apart From the World