Becoming Our True Selves- A Rendering Unto God

Becoming Our True Selves- A Rendering Unto God
By: Jacob Sok

This week while listening to a favorite christian comedian, I was intrigued by a comment he made. Towards the end of his routine he closed his performance with a brief testimony, on how he came to have faith in God. While citing a quote, he stated "God often allows moments, for a man to get downwind of himself; to get a whiff of the man he is.". This concept of "getting a whiff" of the type of people we are has been on my mind and heart all this week, connecting perfectly to a scriptural phrase that has always stirred much thought; that is - to render unto to God, that which is God's.

The phrase is taken from a New Testament account of the Savior, who was confronted by a group of the Chief Priests and Scribes, in Jerusalem.  It was the intention of these men, to entrap the Lord into a self-condemning testimony; to which they would be able to try and punish according to their laws.
The account in the Book of Luke chapter 20, records the interaction as follows: In an attempt at enticing by flattery the Scribes, holding a piece of tribute money (the common tax) asked the Savior: "Master we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or no." This question would place the Savior in position of much conflict, if answered poorly. The result would give cause for the Scribe to deliver Him unto Roman punishment, with an obvious display of opposition to the rule and taxation of the land.

However Jesus perceiving their hearts, returned their question with one of his own saying, "Why tempt ye me?. Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it?" To which in their confusion they answered him saying, "Caesar's". Of which Jesus would so brilliantly retort, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.".This story has been one of a great deal of reflection over the past few years, as I have truly wished to come to understand, what it means to render unto God "the things which be God's".

I prayerfully hope the Spirit of the Lord will direct us in considering this idea, of what it means to:  Render Unto God.

In the dictionary, the word to render has listed several definitions. Meaning: to represent or depict, to give or to provide, to become or cause to be, and  to return (see Dictionary.com/ Websters-Merriam.com). Knowing this we can further see the illustrated teaching when the Savior asks whose image was found on the penny. Knowing that Caesar's image or superscription was found thereon, He commands that we give unto Caesar all that which beholds his image and therefore give to God all that which beholds His. Of truth, this principle was taught as  reminder of " who we are", and "why we are".

                      Who We Are:

In Genesis chapter 1 verse 27, we are taught, "So God created man in his own image". We are not only of the image of God, in conceptual likeness, but we are His children. This fact is so commonly disused amongst us that we often can lose sight of it's significance. As stated in the primary hymn, "I am a child of God, and He has sent me here" (see I am a Child of God). Our worth can not be measured, can not be changed nor substituted; for it is, as God is, eternal. We are of divine origin- a beginning that which our common adversary, would want us so easily to forget.  We must not fall victims to his threats and jaunts at our faith and knowledge in this fact! It would serves us good in our recognition of us as, servants and believers to place dominate emphasis in our celestial parentage; being sons and daughters of God.

To think and ponder this truth, with faith will surely allow us to feel of destined purpose and rights. The Quorum of Twelve Apostles has shared "Of all the titles of respect and honor and admiration that are given to deity, He asks us to address Him as; Father.".

In the Book of Mormon, it was revealed unto the wise King Benjamin by an angel this same truth. This King went on to share a prophesy of Christ, quoting the angel he related "And lo he (meaning Christ) cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name" (Mosiah 3:6). The phrase "cometh to his own" further testifies of this truth we are children of our heavenly father, who begat us spiritually in the beginning. The Book of Mormon would also emphasize that we are also to become children of Christ, in the sense that He becomes the father of our spiritual rebirth, through His atoning sacrifice and our adherence to His gospel (see Mosiah 5:7). Who fortunate we are to know that as sure as the Sun shines bright, or time is endless; we are forever to be loved and known by He who loves us perfectly, for we are His.

                 Why We Are:
When considering the Savior's interaction with the penny, it was really an invitation to remind us of who we are, but also invitation to act- being the "why" in our being here.

As children of God, why do we settle or succumb to the forces that would attack that very core of our existence? Every time we are tempted or mislead, it is the objective of the devil to cloud our vision of who we are and thwart our efforts to become who the Lord would want us to become, thus preventing our eventual return to our Heavenly Home. If I truly am a son of God, I would hope that be on the fore front of my mind, thus becoming the very heart of my determination to become like my Father; this truly is a rendering unto God.

King Benjamin taught, "render unto him all that you have and are" (Mosiah 2:24). This amazing principle, is invitation to not just give of ourselves, but actually- give ourselves to the Lord; and  see what amazing things will become of it. This process is of the rendering to God all that we are is also known in scripture as, putting off the natural man.

For we know that "the natural man is an enemy to God" (see Mosiah 3:19). Internalizing this a little more, I have learned that as we embrace the natural man, we are giving/ depicting/ becoming, that which would demean our very being and our divine within. The superficial and shallow tendencies of mortality-- to yield unto those carnal desires, close us off from the possibility of reaching our full potential, as paid for by our Savior.

The Book of Mormon offers a chance for us to get that "whiff" of who we are by this beautiful comparison-- "Unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ...and becometh as little child, submissive, humble, patient, full of love and willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19). It would make sense that we are to become as little child, seeing we are the children of our Father. As we turn away from those attributes contrary to those of Christ our character becomes at-one with His, our very hearts become open to the who we truly are and where we truly belong.

The prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon asked those of his people, "have ye been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" (Alma 5:14).

Really this is why we are here. We have come here to through a mortal refining pursuit, receive His image in our countenance,meaning change our hearts. This change of heart creates with us a tangible power that makes the simple fact of being a children of God more than mere fact, to a living state of being.

Christ told his disciples to not be afraid, because he had overcome the world. He himself learned to put off the natural man, and in our efforts to draw unto Him through His gospel and making sacred covenants with Him, we to will receive this power.

I remember as a missionary, one of the things I loved most was while walking in the Saviors shoes- applying His opportunity to change my heart; I was able to feel His healing power and rely on those attributes in moments of need. I recall sometimes I would look in the mirror and I would see a different person, in a way that was almost familiar; for I was becoming what I had been taught to become, long ago by my Father in Heaven. Now this has become my hope and purpose of my life; for I am not perfect at it but I promise this rendering is worth it, truly the happiest one can be in this life. When we look in the mirror we can ask ourselves, "Unto to whom am I rendered?". Doing So alows us to more fully keep our covenants and grow closer to God.

As we are of God, and strive to develop his image in ourselves, a full rendering of who we are- we will come to see the Savior's influence and power in our lives. The heart of my motivation for this rendering was founded upon the truth that when the Savior paid the price for my mistakes and my lack of understanding; paid the price for me to be even as He is. Think of that; the check has already been paid off, never to return or bounce- He took it upon himself the consequences of our rendering to lesser things, out of pure love. Even more, He paid the price to allot us time to grow with Him, so that His grace may accompany our short comings step by step.

I prayerfully yearn that my heart will continue to turn to He, of whom I am. That I can develop His countenance in my face; in my entire being. For if we do so the prophet Mormon promised "when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." While I have long way to go, I know that through the grace of the Lord, we can be even as He is- returning home as joint heirs in the Kingdom of God. I pray we joyfully try and render line upon line as we go through this mortal journey- and thus be full of purpose, full of life, and full in Christ.

For further study on this principle please consider the following sources-
- Ponder the Path of Thy Feet: By Thomas S Monson (LDS.org)
- 3 Nephi 11-14 (Book of Mormon)
- I am trying to be like Jesus (Primary Hymnal).


{Images provided through Google Pictures and Paintings being Property of the LDS Gospel Library}