To Obey or Not to Obey the Government?

To Obey or Not to Obey,

That is the Question

By William Frederick, M. Div.

What should the Christian’s relationship be toward government? When should a Christian obey or disobey the government? First off, Scripture tells us that we are not to despise government (2 Pet 2:10). We are to pray for those in authority, even the illuminati, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life (1 Tim 2:1-4). The Christian is commanded to obey the governing authorities (Rom 13:1) no matter how evil; we can only disobey the government when they tell us to do something directly against scripture or they perform an illegal action against us. We are also commanded to honor the king, no matter who it is.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. (1 Pet 2:13-17)

So do not let the knowledge of the coming New World Order to cause you to hate the government and its leaders. God has allowed them to rule and reign for His purposes. We also need to realize that except for the grace of God “there go I.” Respect, obey, and pray for them.

Can a Christian ever ethically fight against the government? Some say that if the government commits an illegal action against its citizens the citizens do not have to comply and can even fight against the government if they choose to do so. But what did Christ Jesus teach us when the Jewish and Roman government committed an illegal action against Him? Did he call down angels to fight for Him; did He strike them dead with lightning? No, He humbly endured. What about the apostle Paul when the government performed an illegal action against him, as recorded in Acts 16:37, in having him unlawfully imprisoned and beaten? Did he fight against them? No, he also humbly endured.

Under the constitution and bill of rights Americans are guaranteed certain rights such as the right to bear arms, own property, worship God, etc. So if the government illegally demands for you to turn in your weapons or illegally tries to take your property do you have to comply? No, ethically you do not have to comply with illegal government actions. There may be consequences for noncompliance, but you can ethically choose to disobey illegal government actions, but to fight against them is not the example that Christ left for us to follow.

What if in the seventieth week martial law—where certain civilian governmental duties are turned over to the military—is declared and the constitution is suspended, what then? Even though the constitution does not explicitly authorize the use of martial law, it does allow for it. The president and governors can declare martial law and have done so in the past, but only under severe emergencies. But the use of martial law also has its restrictions. Under martial law neither the President nor the congress can legally suspend the constitution. Some rights can be temporarily suspended but only for the purpose of restoring and maintaining public order.

The declaration of martial law allows the military broad authority to "do all acts which are reasonably necessary for the purpose of restoring and maintaining public order." These acts include restricting individuals' movement, imposing punishment through military trials, and suspending other fundamental rights.[1][1]

As quoted above under martial law certain rights can be suspended but not the constitution. The Supreme Court has made this clear in several decisions; in the Youngstown opinion, they ruled that any “emergency authority must be assessed in light of several factors, including, congressional action (or inaction), the Constitution, and the prevailing circumstances at the time.”[2][2] In the Milligan case it stated;

The Constitution of the United States is a law for rulers and people, equally in war and in peace, and covers with the shield of its protection all classes of men, at all times, and under all circumstances. No doctrine, involving more pernicious consequences, was ever invented by the wit of man than that any of its provisions can be suspended during any of the great exigencies of government.[3][3]

Military commanders are also constrained to uphold the constitution even if directed otherwise. All military officers swear to uphold the constitution upon being instated and are only required to obey lawful orders. They are not required to obey unlawful orders. According to the Manual for Courts-Martial, a general order or regulation is "lawful unless it is contrary to the Constitution, the laws of the United States, or lawful superior orders or for some other reason is beyond the authority of the official issuing it."[4][4]

The military is also limited in its use within the United States. “The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prohibits the use of the military to aid civil authorities in enforcing the law or supressing civil disturbances unless expressly ordered to do so by the President (as in declared Martial Law by the president).” [5] This is quite clear in the language of the act and the act also imposes a penalty for those who violate it. “Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.” So just because martial law may be declared in the seventieth week does not mean that the citizens of the United States lose their constitutional rights.

The coming New World Order government may try to take away our constitutional rights but according to the law that would be an illegal governmental action of which the citizens of the United States do not ethically have to obey. That is a choice that each individual will have to make in light of their relationship to God, duty to their family, and possible consequences. For example if the government declared a nationwide curfew I would obey. If they declared that all Bibles have to be turned in I would disobey and risk suffering the consequences. You may ethically disobey when the government orders you to do something against scripture or performs an illegal action against you, but never should a Christian take up arms and fight against the government.

An Epiphany Will Come to All!

Have You Had Your Epiphany?

Read The Coming Epiphany Today!

[1][1] Davies, Kirk L. The Imposition of Martial Law in the United States. Air Force Law Review; 3/22/2000;.