An Assault on Human Dignity By Daniel Darling

An Assault on Human Dignity By Daniel Darling In an iconic passage in the Gospels, Jesus responded to His religious critics by asking them to hold up a Roman coin. He then asked them about the image on the coin. To the Pharisees and Herodians (defenders of the Roman status quo), He said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). Most of us read that passage as confirmation that faithful Christians should, despite misgivings, pay taxes to a civil government. Jesus was indeed instructing people to obey the tax. But He was also saying so much more. His essential message was that, yes, Caesar’s image is on the coin and, yes, you are required to pay taxes as a Roman citizen, but remember that Caesar’s power is limited and there are things, such as your conscience and your identity, that belong only to God. The state has no power over your heart and mind—those belong to the One who fashioned you in His image. This is why Christians have often championed religious liberty. In 1 Timothy, the Apostle Paul urged Timothy to pray for the freedom to live out the faith. Why? So the Gospel might have a fair hearing in the marketplace of ideas. For this reason, Christians, at our best, not only advocate for the religious freedom of our own communities, but for the religious freedom of others. … We can work for free and open societies because we have confidence in the power of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit to change minds and hearts. Today’s Prayer Heavenly Father, You have instructed us to pray for “all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2) for this is pleasing in Your sight. We pray for a time when every man, woman and child will know of Your love. Please help us do our part. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.