ABIDING THE LAW

What is our responsibility when laws and leaders run contrary to Biblical teaching?

Whether it is right before God to obey you rather than God, you decide, for it is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.
– Acts 4.19

There are times in every nation’s history when governments overstep or implement misguided or misunderstood policy, or pass an unjust law. It happens in some governments more than others. What is the Christian’s duty when the policy or law directly contradicts biblical teaching? Should we obey the law of the land and expect God to understand? Or do we peacefully disobey and accept whatever consequences may come?

Worldly wisdom tells us, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” The obvious meaning is to fit in to whatever the culture dictates. Stated less eloquently one could quote Rodney King, “Can’t we all just get along?” This is what the Pharisees wanted Peter and James to do in Acts chapter four. They told the apostles to stop teaching that Jesus is the Messiah; they wanted these former disciples of Jesus to fit in with the established religious culture. By telling the rulers to judge if it was better to obey men rather than God (the verse quoted above) Peter exposed the Pharisees for thinking politically rather than biblically. The integrity of these spiritual leaders was now suspect; one cannot put anything in authority over God without committing the sin of idolatry.

Jesus had his run-ins with the law, and now his disciples were too. How do we know that Peter’s response was the right one? Because Jesus foretold these circumstances early in his ministry. Matthew tells us in chapter 10 of Jesus’ teaching, “Whenever they hand you over for trial, do not worry about how to speak or what to say, for what you should say will be given to you at that time.” Two important teachings should be understood here: the first is that being arrested should be an expectation of practicing believers, and second that we should also expect the Holy Spirit to assist us in our peaceful defence.

Even in today’s America it is not unusual for practicing Christians to have to defend themselves from the authorities. I’ve had multiple conversations with police officers who were called in to stop me from talking about Jesus in public places. In every instance, thanks to America’s constitution, I’ve prevailed. Not everyone is so lucky. I remember a fellow student in my days at Moody Bible Institute who was arrested when participating in a peaceful sit in at an abortion clinic. Because he and the others were keeping people from entering the establishment the entire group was arrested. He now had a record, which not only got him expelled from Moody but would also effect his future job search. Such experiences come to all who live their faith openly.

One final note in regard to disobeying unjust law, it is important to do so peaceably. The night of Jesus’ arrest Peter’s first response was to act violently, cutting off the ear of a Roman soldier. This earned him a rebuke from the Messiah who promptly healed the soldier. Paul reminds us in Ephesians Six that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. The police and politicians are not the enemy though they may occasionally be used by our foes. Always treat them with the respect they are do. Paul had a network of friends who would inform him when soldiers or zealots were after him, enabling him to slip away before they could catch up to him. On those occasions escape was not possible, he accepted arrest and imprisonment while defending himself through the legal system. Follow the examples of those who have gone before us.