His Image Inside of You
So they brought it. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And Jesus answered and 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 12:16-17
Have you ever thought about the image that is inside of you? We look in mirrors to see our outside appearance, but what is mirroring our inside. Surprisingly, the answer is simple. It is what we are taking in through our surroundings each day. What are we looking at and listening to? These are the things that are growing our inside (image) person/spirit.
In today’s scripture, Jesus is answering a question the Pharisees asked to try, once again, to trap Him. His answer is profound and goes deeper than they expected. He said: “Your money has Caesar’s image on it, so it already belongs to him. There is no dispute about giving it back to him if he requires it because it’s already his.” Then Jesus goes on with the thought and says, “but, there is something more important you should consider. What is more important is what God has put His image on, that belong to God. You should be more concerned with giving back to God what belongs to Him.” I, like the Pharisees, have always been focused on the tax issue when reading this passage, but I realized that Jesus’ focus was different. What is really important is what are we doing with God’s things that He gives us?” Most importantly, that would be ourselves and the image of God we were created in.
The image of God inside of each one of us is the place to focus our growing efforts. So how do we do that? Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world (influenced to be like), but be transformed (changed from the world’s image to God’s image) by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (accomplish God’s plan for you in this world).”
The first place to start when renewing your mind to be transformed is our influences. What are we looking at and listening to each day? It is not possible to be in the world and not hear and see what is going on around you. It is possible that you purposefully pour the things of God inside of you to be stronger than the thoughts, ideas and attitudes of the world. You make the decision – Do you reflect the image of God or the image of the world?
Today I want to encourage you to make a fresh start by growing the image of God on the inside. Purpose to put the ways of God into your heart everyday by spending time reading and meditating on His word. Talk to Him about the plans and thoughts He has for you. Make the decision to step up your walk with God and take a step away from the world’s way of thinking. Make God’s image on you be the #1 priority in your day, then you will have perfect vision for the future!
Today’s scripture reading: Mark12:13-17
13 Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.
14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
15 Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.”
16 So they brought it. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”
17 And Jesus answered and 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.
The Daily Dose 