| To Obey or Not to Obey . . . |
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Is there ever a time when a Christian is justified in not oberying the government? If so, how does one determine the time? When a civil government refuses people the liberty to worship and obey God freely, it has lost its mandate of authority from God. Then the Christian should feel justified in disobeying. However, there is a hefty price for such disobedience: It may even cost one's life.
The Christian is called to bear with his government whenever possible. Jesus did not call for revolution against Rome, even though that empire was an oppressive conqueror of Israel. On the other hand, the apostles refused to obey an order not to preach and teach in Jesus' name. Whenever the civil government forbids the practice of things that God has commanded us to do or tells us to do things He has commanded us not to do, then we are on solid ground in disobeying the government. Blind obedience to government is never right. However difficult or costly it may be, we all must reserve the right to say no to things that we consider oppressive or immoral.
5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 5:28 saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
13:7 Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute `is due'; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
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