What should the Christian position be on the issue of civil disobedience?
Let’s read Romans 13:1-5, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”
We learn in Daniel 4:17, “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.”
John 19:10-11, “Then saith Pilate unto him (Jesus), Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”
These verses show us quite clearly that our leaders are appointed by God, and we should obey them. Our government leaders are “ministers of God.” We realize that even the worst government is better than no government at all. We should be subject to them and the laws that are enacted. However, if we look at the world around us, it doesn’t take long for us to see brutality, injustice, corruption, abortion, etc. in our government. Should we protest these things? Should we disobey a corrupt, ungodly government? Does obeying our leaders have a limit?
Right now, our government in the USA allows its citizens to participate in many things the Lord condemns. Drunkenness, fornication, abortion, homosexuality, and many other such things. Thankfully, right now our government does not demand that we do anything that causes us to disobey the Lord. If that should happen, we have an example in scriptures to follow. In Jerusalem, Peter and the apostles were forbidden to preach to the people about the Lord Jesus. We read in Acts 5:28-29 of the council speaking to the apostles, “Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THEN MEN.” When the leaders commanded the apostles to disobey the Lord, they simply disobeyed the leaders. They did not protest or gather a group to march with them down the middle of the streets declaring this injustice. No, they simply did not do what the council told them to do. In essence, they obeyed the One with the highest authority! They obeyed the Lord! So…if obeying our government causes us to disobey the Lord, then we should always determine to obey the Lord.
We do need to be aware of Satan’s attempts to dissuade us from our Heavenly calling. We are not called to improve the world. In fact this world is condemned (read 1 Corinthians 11:32) and it will never improve. We are called to win souls for Christ. As believers, we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are soldiers for Christ (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Our citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20). Knowing these things, as believers, we should occupy ourselves with the bigger picture. We should constantly be involved in seeking to lead precious souls to Christ so that they might be saved for all eternity! To be distracted to the point that we are only interested in making our world a better place, would mean that Satan has taken us away from our true Heavenly calling.
As for our government, let us heed and obey the words of 1 Timothy 2:1-3, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.” No matter who are leaders are, no matter if we like them or not, let us obey the Lord and pray for them…they certainly need our prayers. (CC) (557.6)