Is there a time for Christians to disobey the government?

Willing-heart

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If the civil authority forbids us in doing something that God has commanded us to do, or commands us to do something God forbids, not only may we disobey, but we MUST disobey. We must always obey God rather than men. We obey the government, but God comes first. The Bible itself testifies:

  • When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon issued an edict that all his subject should fall down and worship the golden image. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused and they declared that they will only bow to the One true living God (Daniel 3).
  • When the Sanhedrin forbade the disciples (Peter and John) from preaching in the name of Jesus, they said, “We must obey God, not men.” – Acts 5:29.
  • When Pharaoh decreed the Hebrew midwives to kill the new born boys, they refused to obey because they feared God (Exodus 1:17).
  • When Moses was supposed to be aborted as soon as he was born by Pharaoh’s decree. By faith, his parent kept him after he was born and hid him for three months, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. (Hebrews 11:23).

“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s”

With just that one single sentence, the Lord Jesus declared and established the validity of human government. But by the same token, He established the limitations of human government. As a Christian, I believe with all my heart that civil disobedience is appropriate whenever the government ask you to violate God’s commandment; or whenever you are asked to commit immorality, or when you are asked to go against your Christian conscience. Man’s law is not a moral compass. Man’s laws cannot make moral what God has declared immoral. “No law can give me the right to do what is wrong” – Abraham Lincoln. People are quick to forget that everything Hitler did was well within the laws of his country. “If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so.” – Thomas Jefferson. Obeying God is ALWAYS the right choice!

The Government
 

Aussie Pete

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If the civil authority forbids us in doing something that God has commanded us to do, or commands us to do something God forbids, not only may we disobey, but we MUST disobey. We must always obey God rather than men. We obey the government, but God comes first. The Bible itself testifies:

  • When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon issued an edict that all his subject should fall down and worship the golden image. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused and they declared that they will only bow to the One true living God (Daniel 3).
  • When the Sanhedrin forbade the disciples (Peter and John) from preaching in the name of Jesus, they said, “We must obey God, not men.” – Acts 5:29.
  • When Pharaoh decreed the Hebrew midwives to kill the new born boys, they refused to obey because they feared God (Exodus 1:17).
  • When Moses was supposed to be aborted as soon as he was born by Pharaoh’s decree. By faith, his parent kept him after he was born and hid him for three months, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. (Hebrews 11:23).

“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s”

With just that one single sentence, the Lord Jesus declared and established the validity of human government. But by the same token, He established the limitations of human government. As a Christian, I believe with all my heart that civil disobedience is appropriate whenever the government ask you to violate God’s commandment; or whenever you are asked to commit immorality, or when you are asked to go against your Christian conscience. Man’s law is not a moral compass. Man’s laws cannot make moral what God has declared immoral. “No law can give me the right to do what is wrong” – Abraham Lincoln. People are quick to forget that everything Hitler did was well within the laws of his country. “If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so.” – Thomas Jefferson. Obeying God is ALWAYS the right choice!

The Government
Yes, but obeying the law of the land is essential, except in the rare cases where it violates God's will. Yes, in some nations the law is antiChrist and Christians should disobey. In the Western world, that is rarely the case. COVID has raised some interesting issues, especially as far as the church assembling together. Each Christian must be led by conscience and be prepared to pay the price if they choose to disobey the law.
 
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morse86

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What is the US government exactly forcing you to go against God?????

Is the US government preventing you from going soul winning and pulling the unsaved from the fire by giving the gospel?

You should preach the truth and try to avoid a new generation China.
 
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1watchman

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There is a lot being advocated here which is over-reacting. We are told to obey the government and "render to Caesar that which is of Caesar"; and note the government "bears the sword not in vain", as God says. We can trust God and SHOULD, rather than openly oppose the government. God can help His saints deal with trouble from dictators, but open rebellion is just asking for trouble (note Psa. 51:10 and practice it). A faithful saint will not be always ready to fight, and needs to learn the state of mind God tells us ---even as Matthew 5:39. Some Christians give little thought to the manner in which we are to walk in this world in the Name of the Lord. We are not as Israel was in the OT, being out to conquer!
 
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bèlla

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You are welcome to disobey if you’re willing to accept the consequences of your choice without complaint or expectation. If your stance is predicated on a belief of deliverance or minimal hardship; I’d rethink it. The outcome may not go as planned.

Yours in His Service,

~bella
 
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FanthatSpark

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This is in response to the OP blog guy.

In 1913 Christians lost the government of... The People. The umbrella term "Entity" replaced the people in constitutional amendments over time. Law is drafted to protect the flesh of the wealthy by giving a dollar/piece of paper... to avoid placement of the flesh/Prison.

Above is fundamental truth... So, I ask, entity serves the dollar by the dollar can that blog guy fit this square peg in this round hole--> One can not serve two masters ?
 
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Sunshinee777

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If the civil authority forbids us in doing something that God has commanded us to do, or commands us to do something God forbids, not only may we disobey, but we MUST disobey. We must always obey God rather than men. We obey the government, but God comes first. The Bible itself testifies:

  • When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon issued an edict that all his subject should fall down and worship the golden image. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused and they declared that they will only bow to the One true living God (Daniel 3).
  • When the Sanhedrin forbade the disciples (Peter and John) from preaching in the name of Jesus, they said, “We must obey God, not men.” – Acts 5:29.
  • When Pharaoh decreed the Hebrew midwives to kill the new born boys, they refused to obey because they feared God (Exodus 1:17).
  • When Moses was supposed to be aborted as soon as he was born by Pharaoh’s decree. By faith, his parent kept him after he was born and hid him for three months, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. (Hebrews 11:23).

“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s”

With just that one single sentence, the Lord Jesus declared and established the validity of human government. But by the same token, He established the limitations of human government. As a Christian, I believe with all my heart that civil disobedience is appropriate whenever the government ask you to violate God’s commandment; or whenever you are asked to commit immorality, or when you are asked to go against your Christian conscience. Man’s law is not a moral compass. Man’s laws cannot make moral what God has declared immoral. “No law can give me the right to do what is wrong” – Abraham Lincoln. People are quick to forget that everything Hitler did was well within the laws of his country. “If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so.” – Thomas Jefferson. Obeying God is ALWAYS the right choice!

The Government

If the government disobeys God, which way you go? Way of God, or the way of a man? For me this is very easy decision.
 
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RDKirk

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If the government disobeys God, which way you go? Way of God, or the way of a man? For me this is very easy decision.

What man-made government has not disobeyed God? That does not call for rebellion.

And the issue here lies in the concept of "rebellion." Satan rebels. God's people don't rebel.

We may have to refuse a command of the earthly king, but we must not seek to overthrow the earthly king. Both the OT and the NT make that clear. The spirit of rebellion is not compatible with the Christian life. We must not stoke the spirit of rebellion within our flesh, but practice obedience as much as possible.
 
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Sunshinee777

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What man-made government has not disobeyed God? That does not call for rebellion.

And the issue here lies in the concept of "rebellion." Satan rebels. God's people don't rebel.

We may have to refuse a command of the earthly king, but we must not seek to overthrow the earthly king. Both the OT and the NT make that clear. The spirit of rebellion is not compatible with the Christian life. We must not stoke the spirit of rebellion within our flesh, but practice obedience as much as possible.

Not rebelling for the sake of rebelling but being faithful for the life in Christ. Long story short
"So when is civil disobedience called for in the Christian life? Whenever a government compels you to sin, or prevents you from doing something that is required by God." You are free to make your decisions and I'm free to make mine. Jesus don't want us to sin or not fulfilling His purpose. I'm not sure if you understand at all what I'm saying but this is how I'm living. Be blessed.
 
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Willing-heart

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What man-made government has not disobeyed God? That does not call for rebellion.

And the issue here lies in the concept of "rebellion." Satan rebels. God's people don't rebel.

We may have to refuse a command of the earthly king, but we must not seek to overthrow the earthly king. Both the OT and the NT make that clear. The spirit of rebellion is not compatible with the Christian life. We must not stoke the spirit of rebellion within our flesh, but practice obedience as much as possible.

God's highest calling on our lives is to trust and Obey Him above all else.
 
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Victor in Christ

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If the Government isn't obeying the word of God, its time to go speak with the Kings/Queens/Presidents/people in control. That doesn't mean people should go out on public to protest, etc, etc when the Government is trying to protect your health and correct the nation morally.

people who do go on public protests against governments without the word of God as their guide, Apostle Peter calls them brute beasts.
 
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BNR32FAN

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Not rebelling for the sake of rebelling but being faithful for the life in Christ. Long story short
"So when is civil disobedience called for in the Christian life? Whenever a government compels you to sin, or prevents you from doing something that is required by God." You are free to make your decisions and I'm free to make mine. Jesus don't want us to sin or not fulfilling His purpose. I'm not sure if you understand at all what I'm saying but this is how I'm living. Be blessed.

What sin are you specifically talking about? What sin is the government causing Christians to commit?
 
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BNR32FAN

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Abortion, war, and the death penalty

Abortion doesn’t cause Christians to sin, nobody forces abortion on anyone. War is not a sin because it’s not murder. Murder is the unlawful killing of an individual and Christians don’t have to take any part in death penalties which again is not murder if it is sanctioned by the law. God did not command thou shalt not kill. He gave strict commandments to the Jews which often demanded the death penalty. God commanded thou shalt not murder, which is the unlawful killing of someone.
 
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Victor in Christ

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Abortion doesn’t cause Christians to sin, nobody forces abortion on anyone. War is not a sin because it’s not murder. Murder is the unlawful killing of an individual and Christians don’t have to take any part in death penalties which again is not murder if it is sanctioned by the law. God did not command thou shalt not kill. He gave strict commandments to the Jews which often demanded the death penalty. God commanded thou shalt not murder, which is the unlawful killing of someone.

All murder is sin, OT and NT. James instructs believers (in Christ) to obey God's commandments. James 2:9-11

 
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BNR32FAN

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All murder is sin, OT and NT. James instructs believers (in Christ) to obey God's commandments. James 2:9-11


Again murder is the unlawful killing of a person.

“But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as violators. For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one point, has become guilty of all. For He who said, “DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “DO NOT MURDER.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do murder, you have become a violator of the Law.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:9-11‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬
 
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Victor in Christ

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Again murder is the unlawful killing of a person.

“But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as violators. For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one point, has become guilty of all. For He who said, “DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “DO NOT MURDER.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do murder, you have become a violator of the Law.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:9-11‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

True, transgress on one law and your guilty of them all and we'll stand before our Judge, believer first (Jew and then Gentile) and then the sinner.

Romans 14:10-13

God Bless
 
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RDKirk

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Abortion, war, and the death penalty

Which of those does the government, particularly the US government, cause Christians in the US to commit?

And unless you plan to call Jesus a sinner, you can't claim it's because we are required to pay taxes.
 
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Victor in Christ

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Which of those does the government, particularly the US government, cause Christians in the US to commit?

To the best of my knowledge, they don't force any individual to commit those sins. They certainly promote it and pass laws on them, which can lead a person to sin and even worse boast about doing it.

And unless you plan to call Jesus a sinner, you can't claim it's because we are required to pay taxes.

Render unto Caesar what belongs to Ceasar......but that doesn't mean give Ceasar information, money, etc which is not mandatory.

If we read Acts 5:37, Luke 2:1-2, we see that there's a taxing of information which is different from the taxes we pay financially. The financial taxes are mandatory to Ceasar and God's financial tithe/offering are mandatory to God also. 1 Corinthians 16:2
 
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RDKirk

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To the best of my knowledge, they don't force any individual to commit those sins. They certainly promote it and pass laws on them, which can lead a person to sin and even worse boast about doing it.

The bottom line of your post is that you have no basis for an argument that the US government is causing Christians to sin, and certainly not any more than Nero's regime in the times of Peter and Paul or the Roman governments of the first three hundred years caused Christians to sin (less, because Christians in the US never have to deny Christ on pain of death).

Render unto Caesar what belongs to Ceasar......but that doesn't mean give Ceasar information, money, etc which is not mandatory.

If we read Acts 5:37, Luke 2:1-2, we see that there's a taxing of information which is different from the taxes we pay financially. The financial taxes are mandatory to Ceasar and God's financial tithe/offering are mandatory to God also. 1 Corinthians 16:2

You seem to be arguing that paying taxes is mandatory but participating in the national census is not...yet scripture shows the people of God participating in the national census.
 
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