Are you aware of the tricks of the counterfeit trade particularly when it comes to religion and tradition and rituals and rigmarole? We have just had an article in the press where the Anglican or Episcopal Church is planning to remove all male references to Almighty God? Now, they have done other funny things over the past years and this is another attempt to win people over but to win people over to what? This is very serious.
Normally when people counterfeit articles and products they try and make it look as near the real thing as they can.
This is not even an attempt to do that! Why? Lord, He, His, Him, and 'mankind' are being re-written! Did God the Father give His permission for this to be done? Did Jesus Christ the Son of God give permission for this to be done? Jesus spoke about sending the Holy Spirit in the terms of when He the Holy Spirit comes, He will guide you into all truth.
Counterfeiting is not new and neither are religious tricks but surely the last place you would expect such things to appear would be among those who claim to be part of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Now, if they were wanting to do away with fancy dress and gowns and big hats and decorated sticks, I could understand, but to do away with what lies at the heart and centre and fundamentals of the faith is even more serious than serious! Jesus faced trick or counterfeit questions, and He knew how to deal with them.
It was a trick question but His answer was disarming.
After a few flattering words out it came.
"Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" If Jesus Christ said "No" he could be charged with treason.
If he said "Yes" he could be accused of siding with Rome.
Jesus called for a coin and asked whose face was on the coin.
Recognising that it was the Emperor's portrait, Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.
" If 'Caesar' provides you with an army for your protection, pay him.
If 'Caesar' provides you with a Health Service, Education and Police, pay him.
Israel benefited in so many ways from what was called the Pax Romana.
There was a degree of peace across the Roman Empire.
It was possible to travel anywhere in comparative safety, and without a passport, so pay up.
The Word of God is quite clear regarding our attitude to those in positions of authority, and rulers do not bear the sword for nothing.
By the way, the sword was not for spanking.
Elsewhere we are taught to submit to those in authority.
They are in office to punish those who do wrong, and commend those who do right.
The Government, bosses, managers, bankers, and all exercising an influential role, have a responsibility to observe and obey what God has said, because no man can improve upon that.
These spies who approached Jesus, attempting to ensnare and corner him, were not all that interested in taxes, and Jesus saw their duplicity.
He could see right through them.
He knew what they were up to, and he took them one stage further than they were willing to go.
Jesus is exact, concise, compact and direct.
Let Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our risen and living Lord, deal with all the counterfeit attempts that seek to creep into the physical visible Church.