Disobeying the Government
As I was reading the story of Daniel and the lions' den again this morning, the Lord spoke to my heart about how relevant that story is for us, as believers, today. I am not talking about how God can deliver us from every kind of trial, even though that is fantastic. I am referring to Daniel's decision to continue to pray only to God, when the king made the decree that for 30 days he was the only one to whom prayers could be made. In other words, Daniel made a conscious decision to disobey the government, and God honored that decision by delivering him from the lions den.
This leads us to consider what God would have us to do today. I believe God wants us to be good citizens, knowing that He has ordained the government to keep order like it says in Romans 13. However, there are many examples in the Bible of times when the believers have to disobey the laws, because they would require them to break God's laws. The principle is that we obey God first, and if we have to choose between obeying God and the government, we choose God.
There are many applications of this truth. Of course, we should make every effort to evangelize people in countries where it is illegal to share the Gospel. These people need Jesus, and God will honor our efforts. This does not mean that some people will not be martyrs for the faith, but God will take care of them, either here or in Heaven. In the USA we must be about standing up for God's truth and evangelizing, as well. This is true even when the rules or laws say otherwise. We are here to make disciples. The laws of men are not a reason to break God's commands.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Daniel 10-12.
This leads us to consider what God would have us to do today. I believe God wants us to be good citizens, knowing that He has ordained the government to keep order like it says in Romans 13. However, there are many examples in the Bible of times when the believers have to disobey the laws, because they would require them to break God's laws. The principle is that we obey God first, and if we have to choose between obeying God and the government, we choose God.
There are many applications of this truth. Of course, we should make every effort to evangelize people in countries where it is illegal to share the Gospel. These people need Jesus, and God will honor our efforts. This does not mean that some people will not be martyrs for the faith, but God will take care of them, either here or in Heaven. In the USA we must be about standing up for God's truth and evangelizing, as well. This is true even when the rules or laws say otherwise. We are here to make disciples. The laws of men are not a reason to break God's commands.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Daniel 10-12.