Affiliation (Mark 12:13-17)

“Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Those who wanted to accuse Jesus asked if it was right to offer taxes, but the Lord spoke to signify that people do not give what belongs to them, but pay back what they owe. We enjoy peaceful surroundings on earth, which make our lives of faith possible. This requires that we be indebted to the nations’ authorities.

1. A heart of indebtedness

Since it is right to have a heart of indebtedness to the countries of the world, what heart should we have towards God – who saves us from eternal punishment and leads us to eternal life? Is it not right to have a heart of indebtedness all our lives and be faithful to God’s Kingdom? However, many people pour their hearts to the world and only have superficial attachment to God’s Kingdom.

2. Superficial attachment

Some people believe affiliation as a Christian will guarantee their salvation. They push aside their lives of faith as something secondary. After they enthusiastically serve in church – something may not be to their liking – and then they fidget with the idea of leaving the church like it is a trump card. When they discover something inadequate in the church, they recklessly criticize it in front of other people than dedicating themselves to improve the problem. Instead of helping church members understand the pastor’s heart, they quickly deride him in unofficial situations.

3. Inside the Lord’s heart

We are those who are indebted to God. We received a love that only God’s Son could receive, though we have no qualifications or rights. It is now our duty to be faithful in the church where the Lord has called us with an indebted conscience. We should not lose our hearts to the world and reduce the Lord to someone who only helps us with our lives. Let’s not stay as people with merely formal membership, but be people who belong to the Lord’s heart in sincerity and faithfulness.

November 21, 2021

Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim