And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him. Mark 12:13-17

In part 1 of this article, we saw Herodians and Pharisees come together to challenge Jesus about Rome, about government oppression. They posed a question -- “Should we pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” -- hoping to catch Jesus in an answer that either maddened the masses or went against Roman law.

Jesus produced a perfectly balanced response -- Give Caesar what belongs to him. This coin is made with his image impressed upon it. You are using his system, his infrastructure, so render to him what you must. But you are made with God's image impressed upon you. You are using his earth, and he made you. So render to him what is his due.

Jesus' answer distanced him from the Zealots on one side who promoted drastic measures to rebel against the governing authorities. It also distanced him from the Herodians on the other side who'd been absorbed into Rome's system. It was a way for Jesus to declare a third way -- You are part of Rome's kingdom, so be a good citizen and render to Caesar what belongs to him. But you are invited into a bigger kingdom, the kingdom of God, and you must give to God what belongs to him.

Render to Caesar

We might wish this revolutionary third way answered our more nuanced questions about a Christian's relationship with government, but we should respect the monumental impact of Jesus' words. He is distanced from political anarchy. This is especially impactful when one considers the tyranny of the Roman Empire -- they were a far cry from the blessings of a modern democratic republic. But even in that oppressive environment, Jesus proposed a way to honor Caesar while still honoring God.

And this theme is picked up throughout Scripture, especially by Jesus' followers.

"My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise..." (Proverbs 24:21, ESV)

Romans 13:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

"Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:17, ESV)

Render to God

But, while we honor Caesar, we must be careful to honor God. We are made in his image (Genesis 1:27). His seal is upon his people (2 Timothy 2:19). So, while we must pay our taxes and follow governmental legislation, we must also be sure to give God his due. And we must certainly never obey the governing authorities at the expense of our allegiance to God.

I believe this is an important distinction for modern believers to remember. It is not hard to imagine days coming when our governmental authorities or nearly all major corporations mandate that people think and speak in a uniform way about issues like transgenderism, homosexuality, and their definitions of social equality. But believers, with compassion in their hearts and the truth in their minds, should be instruments of reconciliation for those battling with the ideas society presents. We cannot and should not dishonor God by agreeing with deceptive ideas, and we should instead reach out with the love of Christ. Because real human lives are at stake, we must tell the truth but also be ambassadors of Christ's love and grace.

But Jesus never said giving Caesar his due would be easy. He was not concerned with any nation's governing documents. He was concerned with a more important document, the very word of God. And, according to Jesus, those Israelites were just fine in paying taxes to the distant powers of Rome, so long as they also gave God his due. It might be hard, but it was right.

So we are part of two kingdoms -- one imperfect and the other without error. Only the kingdom of God is led by a perfect individual: God himself. But we belong to both kingdoms -- our earthly and heavenly one.

With that in mind, what are some biblical commitments we can make as dual citizens?

1. I will be a good citizen who lives in subjection to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17). If allowed, I will engage in the political process and bring my biblical, Christian convictions to the ballot box. And I will serve my nation, knowing it will never be perfect like my heavenly kingdom, but still wanting its health and blessing.

2. I will remember the borderless kingdom of God. Joseph served Egypt. Daniel served Babylon. And Jesus served all of humanity. So my ultimate hope is in Christ and his kingdom.

3. I will obey the governmental authorities, but my worship is reserved for God alone. And I will go to God in prayer for the government, praying for those in authority, especially that they would allow the church to peacefully pursue its mission (1 Timothy 2:1-5).

4. I will acknowledge that governmental authority comes from God (Romans 13:1-6, Genesis 9:1-6). Though imperfect, it is one of God's ways of controlling unchecked wickedness in the heart of man. Bad government is almost always better than no government.

5. I will pay the taxes the government asks of me (though I will judiciously steward all my resources well and pay no more than required).

6. And if the government tells me to behave in a way contrary to my biblical convictions, I will resist, do what the Bible commands, and deal with the consequences of breaking the law. This might take wisdom and tact, but I believe it can be done. [Adapted from Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Mark]

Let me close with one last exhortation. Don't let yourself fixate on the government. Jesus didn't. He was in the thick of Roman oppression -- and had a few comments about it -- but was focused on his mission. Fixation on the government or politics is often a sign that a society's churches and families have devolved. What we should get from relationships and the community of faith, we often start looking for from the government. But what the government does or doesn't do can lead to disappointment, and when we devote too much of our time to observing the behavior of government, our spirit generally erodes, and our character devolves.

For thousands of years, God's people have hoped in the coming of a figure who would right every wrong and repeal the deleterious effects of sin. He came, and he will come again.

And when he comes:

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV) — 6 ...the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore...