WHEN TO OBEY GOVERNMENT?

From a Biblical point of view government is one of the means GOD has established to rule His creation through human stewardship. The public official is obliged as a steward and servant to respond in obedience to GOD's universal dominion over the earth.

Government is as important in GOD's self revelation as family life, farming, worship, and every other aspect of created life that was made in and through and for Jesus Christ to reveal the glory of GOD (Ps. 93; 94:1-3; 95:3; Isa. 9:6-7; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:8-14; Rev. 1:5, 8; 19:11-21).

The proper use of public authority or the abuse of that authority clear shows when it comes to the use of force. From the beginning of the biblical witness GOD reveals that the use of force against another human being is wrong (Gen. 9:5-6; Exod. 20:13; 21:12-27).

Governments and the courts are called to look after the general public health and welfare of the whole society, but that does not give them the authority to disrupt or destroy the proper responsibilities that GOD has given to parents, pastors, teachers, employers, and other stewards.

The proclamation of GOD's Kingdom demands the prophetic denunciation of all that is incompatible with it. Among the evils we deplore are destructive violence, including institutionalized violence by the armed and police services, political and police corruption, all form of exploitation of people and of the earth, the undermining of the family, abortion on demand, the drug traffic, and the abuse of human rights, especially among the nation's original peoples. We are outraged by the inhuman conditions in which millions live, who bear GOD's image as we do.

Our continuing commitment to social action is not a confusion of the Kingdom of GOD with a Christianianised society. It is, rather, a recognition that the New Testament gospel has inescapable social implications. True mission should always be incarnation. It requires entering humbly into other people's situations, identifying with their social reality, their sorrow and suffering, and their struggles for justice against oppressive powers. This cannot be done without personal sacrifice. Good Christians make that sacrifice every day.

When a church is gathered and acts only for its own self preservation, then it is tempted to a demonic self will, to think that its future is GOD's future. The goal of the church is resistance against Satan, the ruler of this world. Inasmuch as secular or civil powers may feel that this struggle is a political disturbance of their rulership, this resistance against Satan may frequently be interpreted as taking a form that the state considers to be resistance against the authority of the state. Sometimes this is true.

Should the government perpetrate activities intended to coerce citizen participation in evil good Christians might be guided to state that the moral obligation to obey the law is not absolute and such acts of disobedience may be morally obligatory as well as morally justified.

Good Christians are good citizens in the civil realm, who seek the welfare of their nation. They pray for its leaders to gain the wisdom of GOD's truth and pay the taxes they are not lawfully and scripturally exempt from rendering. Of course, we have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord, and cannot call the civil authorities Lord, and if commanded to do so in any way which undermines GOD's sovereignty, they must disobey.

Good and just governments that are accountable for their actions, do not impose limitations on religious freedom, do not impose on Christians any legislation, regulation, administrative fiat or other instrument of policy, conditions that conflict with the Word of GOD have nothing to fear from good Christians.

On the other hand, if they do these things, they have everything to fear and must remember that Christians have a positive responsibility for the well being of all citizens, not just those who are believers.

Good Christians reject all assertions and allegations that they would in any way seek to engage in such wide-spread acts intended to undermine the public peace through acts of violence.

However, the civil authorities must clearly understand that it must not seek to provoke good Christians from all fellowships of the church of Christ by deliberately creating conflicts with our duties as citizens of GOD's Kingdom as laid forth in the New Testament. The radical Good News must be boldly proclaimed, wherever possible, in church and public halls, on radio and television, and in the open air, without restriction, because it is GOD's power for salvation and we are under sacred obligation to make it known.

The church is not to finance the government, neither is the government to finance the church. A state financed church is a state controlled church. Good Christians admonish those churches that apply for and receive exemptions and subsidies from the government.

The New Testament is clear:

1. The Lord Jesus Christ is the sole authority over the church. Matthew 26:18

2. The church is under orders from Him alone to disciple, baptize, and teach all things He has commanded them. Verses 19,20

3. If the church will do this then He promises to be with her to the end. Verse 20

4. Paul compares the special relationship of Christ and His church to a man and his wife. Ephesians 5:21-33

5. Christ is the Savior of our body (the church), not the state. Verse 23

6. The church is subject unto Christ , not the state. Verse 24

7. Christ purchases the church with His power. The state can give nothing for the church and should give nothing to the church. Verse 25.

8. The Lord nourishes and cherishes the church. Through the centuries the state has tried to destroy the church, most especially during the time of the Inquisition.

9. The church is a living organism with a living head and body. Therefore the church is not a religious organization. It is possible to be a religious organization without being a church.