Introduction
Disobedience is insultive and sinful. Partial obedience is disobedience and incurs stern punishment as the case of King Saul shows (1 Samuel 15:22-23). God wants us to obey all authorities (Romans 13:1-7). However, there are occasions when disobedience to authority receives God’s approval and blessings. This is the thrust of this piece.
- Should you kill because the boss requests for that?
- Should you stop praying because the authority says no one should pray for a specific period?
- Should you worship village or town or national idols because the ruler wants all to do that?
Christians are to obey governing authorities
Romans 13:1-7 informs us to obey authority. This passage, though long, should be read: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore, you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour”. Read also, Titus 3:1.
Questions to Answer
Should you kill because the boss requests for that?
Christians are not to murder other human beings. The Lord told the Jews not to kill (Exodus 20:13). Should you kill because the boss demanded for such evil? The unbelievers should not be killed being not of identical faith. Also, the denominations should not be murdered because of differences in faith and doctrines. Christians are to continue to teach and preach the gospel of Christ that saves with longsuffering (2 Timothy 4:2).
Our next discussion is from Exodus 1:6-22. The children of Israel, after the demise of Joseph and his brethren, greatly increased and became fruitful that the Egyptians became envious of them (1:6-9). To trim the population of the Jews down, the new Pharaoh, who knew not prudent Joseph, dealt harshly with the Jews by putting them under severe affliction and bondage. “Therefore, they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. So, the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigour” (1:11-13).
The Egyptians made the lives of Israel “bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigour” (1:14). Despite all these cruel treatments, Israel endured, became more populous and mightier than the Egyptians. To further reduce the Jewish male population, King Pharaoh summoned Shiphrah and Puah, Hebrew midwives (1:15) and instructed them on what to do to the male babes born to the Jews: “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live” (1:16).
Pharaoh, the ruler over all Egypt, had spoken, and these two midwives have to obey. They were covered under royal authority and power, if they killed anyone and the evil act was discovered. Nothing will come out of it, since the power that be is behind it! What will you do in this situation? The powerful, physical crown, it has to be noted, is available to protect you. Will you kill and get the King earthly honour and rewards?
The fear of the Lord prevents such genocide from being carried out. “And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding’” (Job 28:28). The fear of God is personal. Ruddy David, son of Jesse, could have slaughtered King Saul where he met him sleeping (1 Samuel 26:1-25). 1 Samuel 26:12 says: “So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul's head, and they got away; and no man saw or knew it or awoke. For they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them”. David and King Saul exchanged words that you should mull over: “And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation". Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, my son David! You shall both do great things and also still prevail." So, David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place” (1 Samuel 26:24-25).
David, however, did not kill King Saul, the first King in Israel, even when the cheap opportunity presented itself to David to murder the King. Will a person meet his foe cheaply and spare his life? Let us ask you afresh: What will you do, spare the life of your enemy or kill him inexpensively with just a sword that pins him down to the earth? (1 Samuel 24:12-16, 19). Those who fear the Lord do not kill secretly or openly. They will decline the evil the ruler requested them to do... murder.
Puah and Shiphrah disregarded Pharaoh order: “But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive” (1:17). The joy of doing God’s will is great and unfading. Rest of mind belongs to all those who fear Him, together with long life (Proverbs 10:27), and fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27). “Therefore, God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them” (1:20-21).
If you are looking for enduring blessings and everlasting life, do not truncate the life of your human fellow on the order of your boss or ruler. Fear the Lord and depart from evil!
Should you worship village or town or national idols because the ruler wants all to do that?
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon constructed a golden image which dimensions are sixty by six cubits and “set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon” (Daniel 3:1). The Supreme and unalterable authority of the King was that all his cabinet members must “come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up” (Daniel 3:2).
Besides, and most importantly, the King message was to all peoples, nations and languages (tongues) (Daniel 3:4), leaving no single person or nation behind to comply with his directive; failure to do, will attract death penalty. “That at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:5-6).
Should Christians obey the neo-Nebuchadnezzar of today who wants all people to fall down and worship his set-up golden image? A golden image is an idol that Christians must not worship and serve. “You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 26:1). This command was for the ancient Jews. To the Christians, Paul wrote, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). King Manasseh worshipped assorted idols and made Judah to sin against the Lord greatly (2 Chronicles 33: 1-11). When he repented, “He took away the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord and in Jerusalem; and he cast them out of the city. He also repaired the altar of the Lord, sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel” (2 Chronicles 33:15-16). You are to stop worshipping idols and repent of the evils in your hands. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen” (1 John 5:21).
“Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve'” (Matthew 4:10). Should you be afraid of the authority that wants you to worship idol, either openly or secretly? No! You should not be afraid! There are accusers around to accuse you of refusing to worship the authority’s image. Should you not leave that lucrative job and say big NO to authority’s idol? You should!
The “certain Chaldeans” accuser of today are around to accuse you to the authority (Daniel 3:8-12). But like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego make up your mind not to worship and serve any image. This is an approved disobedience for Christians against any ruler or authority, asking them to do evil or to disobey the commandment of God. Do not mind their threats (Acts 4:18-22). Fear only the Lord! Pray to God through Christ for help to withstand all sins, especially sin of idolatry (Acts 4:23-31).
In fury, King Nebuchadnezzar spoke, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” (Daniel 3:14-15).
In reality, there is no such earthly man-made god that can deliver, not even from the powerful hands of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonian Empire. Your reply, as an obedient Christian to God’s will and commandment, should be same as that of these three Hebrew young men in exile in Babylon. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18).
If any ruler demands for worship to his or her idol(s), you should immediately reject such an offer, regardless of the rewards attached. The offer may be an expensive vehicle, charming building(s) and large sum of money. Never be involved in any fetish thing(s) or ritual(s) for once. Once you join, with the notion that you will soon pull out, you won’t, you will continue to join them to your sorrow and ruin. Therefore, say huge NO to any authority or boss idol(s), or request to worship any image. This is an approved disobedience for Christians. At the end, they will embrace your God as King Nebuchadnezzar did, and decreed that all should embrace your God like that of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego “because there is no other God who can deliver like this” (Daniel 3:29).
Should you stop praying because the authority says no one should pray for a specific period?
King Darius of Medes and Persians established a royal statute that everyone should offer petition to for thirty days (Daniel 6:1-9). Daniel, whose Babylonian name is Belteshazzar, refused to obey the King. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days” (Daniel 6:10).
God must be obeyed. Prayer should be offered to Him through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:13-14). God hears and answers prayers (2 Chronicles 7:14). A ruler who asks the citizens not to pray to God, but to his image or god is seeking for trouble, open disregard and shame. Christians should shun any law asking them not to pray, for such disobedience is acceptable to God. Do not allow any person to stop you from praying to God the Father, through the Son, Christ Jesus.
Exodus 20:13 says: “You shall not murder”. Aside the Jews to whom this commandment was directed, Christians are not to kill for he who kills by sword shall die by the same (Matthew 26:51-52; Revelation 13:10). Also, Christians are not to hate any person. To hate is to commit murder. “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15). Law emanating from the authority to hate should be disregarded. Why? “Let brotherly love continue” (cf. Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 2:17).
Love all! “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”” (Galatians 5:14). You are my neighbour, so I should love you, and vice versa. Jesus said to the lawyer who was tempting Him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:34-40).
Conclusion
Obey the civil authorities as long as their laws are not against God’s. Religious leaders are to be obeyed in the fear of God (Hebrews 13:17).
You should fear God and keep His commandments. You are not to fear any person, males or females, black or white. But, “Honour all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king” (1 Peter 2:17). As you respect elders and rulers (kings), do not follow their evil deeds; do not counsel them to commit evils using their powers. If rulers are wedges with faithful and god-fearing people, they will rule well; they will fear God, and will not oppress and/or murder their human fellows secretly. Do not partner with evil (Exodus 23:2). Remember you will one day give account of your ways and deeds to the Lord (Jeremiah 26:13).
Emulate Puah and Shiphrah, the Egyptian mid-wives, who did not murder male children of the Jews, though they have the support of the King. Do not kill because of differences in doctrines and faith. Focus on preaching the gospel truth (2 Timothy 4:2). Pray for them to be enlightened, but do not kill them.