Having God’s Image and Likenes

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

October 24, 2023

in Spritual Growth

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October 22, 2023:
Readings:
Isaiah 45:1-7
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22
22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Christ again used a parable to expound on the truth to make it easier for us to comprehend. Most of the parables we’ve listened to these past weeks have been confrontational because these were speaking of truth about the religious leaders not following God but following their own agenda. So the Pharisees got together to counsel among themselves to see how they could topple Christ. Psalm 2:2 “The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed.” This is happening today with governments trying to control the people. Christ wanted the leaders to act the right way and not abuse the people. The Pharisees got together with the Herodians because they wanted to embarrass Christ. They went to Him and asked mockingly, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful. You teach the way of God in truth. You are not partial to anyone. Is it lawful then to pay poll taxes to Caesar?” They were trying to trap Christ because they knew that the people didn’t like paying taxes to Rome. Jesus then asked them: “Show me a denarius. Whose image is this?” They responded, “Caesar!” Jesus, in all His Wisdom answered, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” They were stunned with His answer and left.

Caesar’s image was in gold, set by man to purchase things according to its value, which is assessed by man. Christ, in several scriptures tell us that “we are the image of God.” Humanity having God’s power to accomplish things. We don’t even need to pay taxes to Him. He’s given us the ability, power and strength because we have the image of joy, of freedom from the control of the enemy. In 1 Corinthians, it says we have the image and glory of God. God in us quickens our mortal flesh to life. With gold, it is man who sets the value on it. With God, the Image He gave us was set by Him. James 3: 9…. “who have been made in God’s likeness.” We should not lose this image. The enemy through the world is trying his best to take us away from God. That instead of trusting God, he is leading us to trust in the things of this world. We have the authority in us but we do not totally see the big picture. In reality, the things that are against us have no authority over us if only we knew who we are in Christ. The image of God in man will never die. It will never pass away.

It’s not Caesar. It’s not the gold. It’s Christ who is our eternity. Romans 8:11 “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”