Is it ever okay to disobey government?

This week we have been looking at a section of a letter that is preserved and recorded for us in the New Testament of the Bible called the book of 1 Peter, where we have discovered that living as part of God’s kingdom community should lead to a life that represents Jesus well by respecting government authority. In 1 Peter 2:13-17, Peter reveals for us four reasons why living as part of God’s kingdom community should lead to a life that represents Jesus well by respecting government authority.

So far this week, we have discovered that, as followers of Jesus, we are to represent Jesus well by respecting government authority regardless of the level of government. We have discovered that, as followers of Jesus, we are to represent Jesus well by respecting government authority because God desires that we represent Jesus well before those in authority. And we have discovered that, as followers of Jesus, we are to represent Jesus well by respecting government authority because our freedom as followers of Jesus should not result in a license to do wrong.

Today, we see Peter conclude this section of his letter by revealing a fourth reason why living as part of God’s kingdom community should lead to a life that represents Jesus well by respecting government authority in 1 Peter 2:17:

 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Peter concludes this section of his letter to these early followers of Jesus with four specific commands that are connected to the common responsibilities we have as followers of Jesus who are citizen’s of God’s kingdom community. When Peter uses the word honor here, this word literally means to show a high regard for someone or something.

Peter is commanding followers of Jesus throughout history to show a high regard and respect for all people. This command addresses the social responsibility we have as followers of Jesus for those who live in our areas of influence socially. Regardless of where those who live around us are spiritually, we are to treat everyone with a high level of respect socially.

Peter then commands followers of Jesus throughout history to love the brotherhood. When Peter refers to love, this word refers to a warm, other-centered regard, affection and interest in another. In addition, the word brotherhood refers to the common brotherhood and sisterhood we have as a part of the family of God in God’s kingdom community. This command by Peter addresses the responsibility we have as followers of Jesus for those who are a part of God’s kingdom community. As followers of Jesus, we have a responsibility to demonstrate a selfless, other-centered love to our fellow followers of Jesus.

Third, Peter commands followers of Jesus throughout history to fear God. Now this word fear here is not referring to the fear we experience when we watch our favorite horror movie. This is not the fear we experience when we watched the shallows. Instead, the word fear in the Bible conveys the sense of having a profound measure of respect for God that results in submission and obedience to God. This command addresses the responsibility we have as followers of Jesus spiritually in relationship with God. As followers of Jesus, we have a responsibility to demonstrate a profound measure of respect for God that results in submission and obedience to God.

Fourth, Peter commands followers of Jesus throughout history to honor the king. This command addresses the responsibility we have as followers of Jesus politically when it comes to how we relate to government authority. Peter is commanding followers of Jesus throughout history to demonstrate a high regard and respect for government and government leaders.  And it is here that we see Peter reveal for us a fourth reason why living as part of God’s kingdom community should lead to a life that represents Jesus well by respecting government authority in that we are to respect government authority because it is our responsibility as citizens of God’s kingdom community.

As citizens of God’s kingdom community, we have a responsibility to respect all people in the social arena. As citizens of God’s kingdom community, we have a responsibility to selflessly love fellow followers of Jesus in the church arena. As citizens of God’s kingdom community, have a responsibility to live in submission and obedience to God in the spiritual arena. And as citizens of God’s kingdom community, have a responsibility to respect and show a high regard for government authority in the political arena.

Now some of you may be thinking, “But what about evil governments? What about the Nazi’s in WW II or China or Iran today? Are we, as followers of Jesus, supposed to obey evil governments?” Is it ever o.k. to disobey government?” 

We believe that the letters that make up the Bible teach that followers of Jesus can express direct civil disobedience, which is when a government attempts to force us to disobey God’s clear commands. When government attempts to force us to disobey God we are to choose to disobey government and obey God. And our attitude in expressing civil disobedience is just as important as the act of disobedience itself. If we refuse to obey government for religious reasons, we should not be rebellious in our attitude and be prepared to accept whatever consequences that the government imposes.

We see this in the Old Testament story of the fiery furnace in Daniel 3. We also see this in Acts 5:27-29 when the Apostles were told to quit spreading the gospel message. However, we believe that the letters that make up the Bible does not condone indirect civil disobedience, which is when we choose to disobey government to protest government violations against someone else. To illustrate and apply this principle, let’s take the issue of abortion.

Currently in America it is legal to get an abortion. And while it is legal to get an abortion, as Christians we believe that abortion violates God’s moral law. And, in America, Americans are not compelled, or forced, to get abortions as a result of being pregnant. In China, however, with its one child policy, Chinese citizens are compelled to receive abortions.

So, from a Biblical perspective, Chinese Christians are permitted to express civil disobedience due to the fact that they are being compelled or forced to violate God’s clear command to not murder by getting an abortion. In America, however, civil disobedience regarding abortion would not be permissible as it would be indirect civil disobedience.

As followers of Jesus, we can express a Christian worldview and promote policies that would change the law regarding abortion, but we are not permitted to violate the laws of the land to do so. It is against Biblical principles to blow up abortion clinics, refuse to pay taxes, or violate any other government law in order to protest government policy. We are permitted to express direct civil disobedience only against a law that compels or forces us to disobey God’s clear commands.

So here is a question to consider: Are you representing Jesus well by respecting government authority? What is your reputation in the eyes of those around you who do not buy the whole Jesus, Bible, church thing when it comes to how you talk about and treat authority? What is the reputation of this church in the eyes of those who do not buy the whole Jesus Bible church thing when it comes to how we as a church talk about and treat authority?

Because, the timeless reality is that living as part of God’s kingdom community should lead to a life that represents Jesus well by respecting government authority. As citizens of God’s kingdom community, we are to respect government authority regardless of the level of government. As citizens of God’s kingdom community, we are to respect government authority because God desires that we represent Jesus well before those in authority. As citizens of God’s kingdom community, we are to respect government authority because our freedom as followers of Jesus should not result in a license to do wrong. And as citizens of God’s kingdom community, we are to respect government authority because it is our responsibility as citizens of God’s kingdom community.