Quick question in regard to, 'The Law of The Land'...

[CantThinkofaUserName]

Hello,

What happens if the 'Law' changes and goes against what is being taught in the bible? Are Christians still to follow it? If the 'Law' states that it is 'Ok' to do or follow certain 'things' and the bible clearly states that it is forbidden, is it ok to not follow the 'Law' in that case?

Thanks!

 

[Rafael]

There may come a time when we must disobey human authority.

Acts 5:25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”
26 ¶ The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them.
27 Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them.
28 “Didn’t we tell you never again to teach in this man’s name?” he demanded. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”
29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.
30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross.
31 Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven.
32 We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”

 

[heron]

Great name, btw! And a fascinating question.

This is one of those issues where people quote the same verse (give to Caesar) over and over, but overlook the rest of the Bible.

Think about all the incidents where prophets warned kings to repent before oncoming destruction, or where Jesus confronted religious leaders, Moses opposed Pharoah (his step-family!), David ran from King Saul and collected his own army... many of the conflicts in Bible stories revolve around corrupt governing systems.

I think that what Jesus wanted to convey, was a respect for the heart of the rules. The government and legal systems are there to protect and provide for us, so we need to respect what representatives are trying to accomplish, and work with the systems in place. When you think about it, most of them are people trying to make a living and maybe make a difference.

There are some truly awful leaderships around the globe, ones that make the question clearer. If a militant group invades a town and takes over, forcing people to join their ranks and kill friends and family... if drug lords rule and intimidate an area...

We need to be very careful about pat answers, and religiosity trampling common sense. People allow some horrible oppressions because they have been taught to follow generalities.

 

[heron]

I'm not sure what country you're from, but a lot of CF members are from the US and Europe... in these places, freedom of speech and participation in the governmental process are incorporated into our laws. Being obedient includes writing to representatives, gathering petitions, speaking out in town meetings, and influencing
others.

Ways that I see people put themselves above the law -- not calling their zoning board and building inspector before putting up an addition... driving while talking on cell phones ... lying about what they put in a postal package so they could get cheaper rates... cheating on income tax.

These show direspect for the reasons behind the law. The results often harm others, even if they appear to only involve ourselves. Most near-accidents I see now involve cell phone users.

Um, I'm about to go on and on and realized you just had a "quick question."

 

[£amb]

Hello,

What happens if the 'Law' changes and goes against what is being taught in the bible? Are Christians still to follow it? If the 'Law' states that it is 'Ok' to do or follow certain 'things' and the bible clearly states that it is forbidden, is it ok to not follow the 'Law' in that case?

Thanks!

I agree with the previous posts before mine.

I just wanted to add also that there is a story within the bible about a man named Daniel that prayed to God daily. Some men were very jealous of him and had the King create a law to forbid praying. Daniel did not uphold the law and continued praying.

As you said, we are to follow the law of the land, but if they go against God, then we are not to follow.

 

[heron]

Good example. That was even a life-or-death choice.

So, welcome to the forum! I hope you have a good experience here!

 

[ozmum]

Daniel chapter 3 is a good example of what others who were loyal to God did when the law of the land changed .Also Daniel chapter 6.Great stories and they answer your question.
This kind of dilemna will happen again according to Revelation .Compare Revelation 13 :16,17 with Revelation 14:9,10,11.
It compares down to loyalty .
Will we be loyal to God under all circumstances?

 

[prophecystudent]

Hello,

What happens if the 'Law' changes and goes against what is being taught in the bible? Are Christians still to follow it?

I recently came across a statement in a text I am studying that said that we are not to follow laws that clearly violate God's laws. Perhaps a bad example, but suppose the law was changed that allowed murder. We could still not commit murder because God forbids it. I know, extreme example but makes the point.

If the 'Law' states that it is 'Ok' to do or follow certain 'things' and the bible clearly states that it is forbidden, is it ok to not follow the 'Law' in that case?

Just because the law says it is OK to do something does not mean that we have to do it. Thus it is not forbidden to not do that thing. A law that allows us to do something does not mean that we are required to do it. A matter of semantics, perhaps.

Fred

 

[heron]

I ran across a funny verse while looking for some other things.

Exodus 7:1
Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I make you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.


I wondered if this might have meant that because Moses grew up in Pharaoh's household, that he was also considered an Egyptian god? Pharaoh's first-born had died, possibly making Moses heir to the throne.

Anyway... God gave Moses authority to not just disobey, but to be as a god over his authority! Yikes.


Compare also our concern over obeying laws of the land, while we easily dismiss the Mosaic Law that was assigned to be followed generation after generation for all time. Much more was written scripturally about Moses' statutes than about obeying our governing authorities.

A couple of Moses' instructions might have had to shift when the people insisted on a king, and their government restructured.

Deut 32:44
And Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel, and said to them, Set your heart on all the words which I have testified against you today, that you command your sons to take heed to do all the Words of this Law.

For it is not a useless Word for you, for it is your life, and by this Word you shall prolong your days in the land where you are crossing over the Jordan, there to possess it.


Jos 22:5
Only, be very much on guard to do the commands and the Law which Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded you, to love Jehovah your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.


​

 

[CantThinkofaUserName]

Very nice examples and answers, thanks a lot!

I'm no scholar when it comes to religion, although at times I really wish I was. I like having conversations with like-minded people but never really know enough to get in-depth or even to back up/validate anything I'm saying. lol I s'pose everyone has to start somewhere.

Anyway, I kind of figured that it would only make sense to follow your heart when (and if) you're ever confronted with a situation where you know the law is not coinciding with what the bible has stated. I just figured I'd ask anyway because there have been times when I've been wrong even tho' the surface of whatever it is I was wondering about seemed to me to be common sense at the moment.

Cheers, again!

p.s. Heron, I'm from the US.

 

[MikeMcK]

Hello,

What happens if the 'Law' changes and goes against what is being taught in the bible?

Wouldn't be much of a change. There are many laws now that go against the Bible.

Are Christians still to follow it?

We have a Biblical obligation to follow the law. However, we have a higher obligation to follow God. When the two are in conflict, we must follow God.

If the 'Law' states that it is 'Ok' to do or follow certain 'things' and the bible clearly states that it is forbidden, is it ok to not follow the 'Law' in that case?

We see this now with abortion. The law says that it's perfectly acceptable to tear little babies apart, piece by piece in the womb. However, the Bible is clear that we are not to murder and Jesus says that when those who harm a child stand before God, it will be better for them if a millstone where hung around their neck and they be dropped into the sea.

So, while the law says it's OK, God forbids it.

 

[heron]

There are many laws now that go against the Bible.

True... abortion was a perfect example. If someone scrambled that with a hippocratic oath to require someone to perform a surgery... yech. It would probably only happen if it could save the mother's life, but you never know how laws will keep easing in one direction.

Anyway, I kind of figured that it would only make sense to follow your heart when (and if) you're ever confronted with a situation where you know the law is not coinciding with what the bible has stated.

Even though this sounds loose, it's essentially what scholars would whittle it down to. Do unto others... understand the heart of the law... protect life.... it takes a village.