One Minute Ministry

As a general rule, Christians should be the most law abiding citizens in any land. Romans 13 has strong counsel with regard to the importance of civil obedience. Furthermore, anarchy and mob rule are usually terrifying experiences.

Having said that, the Bible gives clear examples of civil disobedience in the life of Daniel, as well as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and famously with the apostles when they are commanded to not preach in the name of Jesus and they reply in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

And that’s the basic principle for civil disobedience. When authorities call you to do something forbidden by God, or they seek to prevent you from doing what God has commanded, then we ought to obey God rather than men.

While human authority is ordained by God, all human authority is under the Lordship of Christ, whether that’s church members before church elders, children before parents, employees before employers, or civilians before government officials.