Taxes…
Be Transformed By The Renewing Of Your Mind
Prove What Is That Good, And Acceptable, Perfect, Will Of God.
Think Soberly, According As God Hath Dealt To Every Man A Measure Of Faith
Let Love Be Without Dissimulation
Cleave To That Which Is Good
Be Kindly Affectioned One To Another With Brotherly Love;
In Honour Preferring One Another
Fervent In Spirit Serving The Lord
Rejoicing In Hope
Patient In Tribulation
Continuing Instant In Prayer
Distributing To The Necessity Of The Saints
Given To Hospitality
BLESS THEM WHICH PERSECUTE YOU
Bless
Rejoice With Them That Do Rejoice
Weep With Them That Weep
Be Of The Same Mind One Toward Another
Condescend To Men Of Low Estate
Recompense To No Man Evil For Evil
Provide Things Honest In The Sight Of All Men
Live Peaceably With All Men
Give Place Unto Wrath
If Thine Enemy Hunger, Feed Him.
If He Thirst, Give Him Drink.
Overcome Evil With Good…
~ Romans 12
What a list (and that’s just the positive Commands)!
I was asked once, “what is Worship?”
After listening, and thinking it over, I got one word.
Taxes.
We give to the government out of our striving.
Paying a fraction of our wages.
These contributions create roads, healthcare, infrastructure for the betterment of society.
If We choose to not pay, the consequences come.
The bills add up, eventually we are thrown in jail if we continue to refuse to pay.
To me, that’s a great analogy for God and Worship
We can Worship now, bowing the knee.
Or we can wait until The Great And Fearful Day Of The Lord… when Every Knee Shall Bow.
Unfortunately, if We decide to wait… we also earn jail (because the wages of sin is death).
Just like taxes.
Don’t get me wrong.
Worship, from the Soul that has received Grace through Jesus The Christ, Our Propitiation, is Joyful.
The Grace and the things God has done in and around Us overflows Our Hearts with Joy (and Joy Unspeakable)!
Worship isn’t a chore, it’s a choice…
A Heart Decision and a soul posture.
Jesus even mentions taxes and our bodies together when He is asked about paying taxes.
He calls for a coin,
and then Jesus Wisely asks
“Who’s inscription is on This Coin?”
‘Caesars’
“Then Render To Caesar The Things That Are Caesar’s, And To God The Things Of God.”
God Created Everything
He Created Us
He Imprinted His Image Into Us
He Filled Us With His Spirit
He Bought Us At A Great Price
He Formed Us
He Sustains Us
He Protects Us
He Keeps Us
And,
In Our Mess He Calls Us…
Present Your Bodies A Living Sacrifice. . .
Holy, Acceptable Unto God,
Which Is Your Reasonable Service.
Or
this is your true and proper worship.
~ NIV
which is your spiritual worship.
~ ESV
which is your spiritual service of worship.
~ NASB
Pay Your Taxes.