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. And wouldest 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 2:13, "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 which of 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

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 first to 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 the earth 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

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 Literal Translation; 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).

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