Be ready to civilly disobey.

We are taking a break from Romans for tonight after recent events. Remember to read the entire post before responding or acting. I found out about the Supreme Court decision that allowed Nevada to limit church attendance indefinitely in a 5-4 decision.

This decision allowed casinos and other businesses to have less restrictions than churches. From the article I read, they didn’t give a reason but I have my speculations. They may have said it’s because of public health reasons, but if that was the case then why allow secular businesses more freedoms? They probably spread disease way more than churches or other faiths would that follow precautions.

So what do we as Christians do when the government decides to limit our gathering or do something else against the word of God? We disobey in a civil manner like the apostles did in the verse below. Yes we still do it even if the governments’ reasoning may be for ‘the greater good’.

“Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to bring this man’s blood on us!” But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted this man to His right hand as ruler and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Acts 5:28-32

Hcsb Bible

The reason being, we are to obey God first and foremost since he is our ultimate authority. the religious elite (their government) was telling the apostles not to talk about Jesus to anyone. We of course know their motives were sinister and literally against God but they easily could have brought it up under more politically correct cover.

They easily could have said to stop preaching in Jesus name because it could cause riots. It could destabilize the power structure that was currently in place and disturb the peace. It’s very possible. Because the story is that of the governing authorities deciding to kill an innocent man in cold blood because he spoke the truth.

This could have easily turned many who heard it against the authorities caused a rebellion and riots. Just look at the past few months after George Floyd’s death and he wasn’t even perfect like Jesus was. His deaths caused riots across the nation and destroying untold amounts of property. So yes, the gospel very well could have started a riot or outright rebellion.

The reason why it may not have caused rebellion is because the entire message of the gospel said that he went willingly to sacrifice himself for the authorities and the rest of the world. But the authorities probably wouldn’t give the entire context because they want to control the masses through deception and manipulation. Just look at how every government throughout history has hidden things from the country for one reason or another.

Now this is not to say we need to have a second civil war in the United States. War is terrible but we do need to be ready to civilly disobey the governments orders if it goes against the word of God. Again I state this, always obey the governing authorities like Romans 13 commands us to, unless they directly go against what the Bible teaches us to do or not do.

We need to be ready to disobey but also bring solutions to the table when given the chance to change the government. That can be through elections, amendments, laws and or leaving the country for a better country if it gets to great of persecution.

I don’t say this lightly, we need to be courageous like the Christians in other countries that live every day with a target on their back. Not knowing if they will be dead today or tomorrow because of their beliefs. We as American Christians need to grow a backbone and be ready for what the future might bring us.

Remember Jesus said to be ready to die for him. Because if the world hated him, they will hate us if we are following Jesus closely.