Simply Jesus Pt. 28: "No One Can Serve Two Masters"

During this election cycle, I have had several conversations with folks revolving around what it means to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. Though I addressed those simple words of Christ in a previous blog, I feel like God has recently revealed to me a critical aspect of the issue I was overlooking in the past.

When trying to determine what limits of authority and control Caesar should have on a Christian’s life, Christians usually start by attempting to determine what it means to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. Or, they look at how Christian’s interacted with various governing bodies in Scripture.

Though beginning with Caesar may seem like a natural starting point, I submit to you that doing so is getting the cart before the horse. 

Jesus doesn’t merely tell us to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. He also commands us to render to God what is God’s. Since God, not Caesar, is Lord of heaven and earth, shouldn’t we therefore begin by ascertaining what it means to render to God what is God’s before attempting to please Caesar?

After all, doesn’t God call us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind? Haven’t we been set apart especially for Him? Doesn’t God work in us to achieve His good purpose? Doesn’t the kind of worship He desires require us to be living sacrifices for Him and to not be conformed to the world? Doesn’t God call us to not get entangled in the affairs of this world, but rather to seek to please Him, our true Commander in Chief?

Unfortunately, those truths are usually given little attention in today’s culture where Christians are masterfully manipulated day and night with propaganda from the enemy to put our hopes in worldly philosophies instead of the kingdom of God.

And how does the evil one manipulate us? Through our loves and our fears, just like he’s been doing for thousands of years.

Watch this dynamic unfold in this scene from the Gospel of Luke:

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him. – Luke 16:13-14

Why did the Pharisees mock and deride Jesus? Because their hope was in the worldly philosophy that, practically speaking, greed is good. Because He then called out their security. Because He called out their mistress. Because He called out their real god.

If Jesus told you that you are more devoted to your cash and country than you are to His kingdom, would you listen to Him or laugh in His face?

Once in a discussion with a Christian about this topic, I asked which had more positive impact on the world: voting in an election or making a new disciple of Jesus. To my absolute shock, without hesitation the man said that voting absolutely has a more positive impact because it can keep the worst people out of office.

A worldview like this will definitely lead a person to be a passionate voter, but how will it affect one’s adherence to the simple words of Christ?

I don’t know much, but I do know this: What we believe is evidenced by our behavior. If you asked one of the Pharisees in Luke 16 if they loved God, they would’ve quickly and strongly affirmed that they did. Yet, when God Himself challenged them to choose Him over their money, they mocked Him like He was a complete idiot.

Another thing I’ve learned in my 12 years of being in ministry, is that it’s difficult to counsel people who are madly in love. You can point out warning signs to them, and to your face they may act like they’re hearing every word. However, much of the time they’re not going to pay any mind to the red flags you try to bring to their attention. Or, they may possibly get belligerent with you when you do. And the reason for these reactions is they’ve already made up their minds that this person is the answer to their prayers. 

If we give ourselves first to significant others, over time there’s going to be less and less given to God. If we give ourselves first to Caesar, over time we will grow to be devoted to him while despising the way of Jesus… and the insidious thing is, most of us won’t even realize it. We don’t see it, but God does.

“You cannot serve two masters.” He has served an earthly master in that … he has been more obedient to human authority than to God. … He will not be able to escape and avoid God his judge. … He sees the heart and mind of every person; and He will judge not alone of our deeds, but even of our words and thoughts. He looks into the minds, and the wills, and conceptions of all men, in the very lurking-places of the heart that is still closed up. – Cyprian 250CE, Volume 5, p. 778 [CD-ROM]

So, during this election cycle, who do you hate? Who do you love? Who do you despise? Who are you devoted to? Who have you rendered yourself to first? Who do you serve?  What aspects of politics cause you to scoff at the words and way of Jesus? Whose side are you on?

May we remember that Jesus said those who are on the side of truth listen to Him.

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” – John 18:36-37 (NRSV)