Obeying God rather than men

Later this month I expect to be attending the Grace Baptist Assembly.  According to the programme the theme for the whole assembly is “Obeying God rather than men”.  That’s an obvious reference to the words of the apostles in Acts 5:29: “We must obey God rather than men”.

The authorities in Jerusalem had forbidden them “not to speak or teach at all in Jesus’s name” (Acts 4:18).  It was a blanket ban on any witness to Jesus.  And the apostles knew they had to break it.  The Lord Jesus had given them a direct command to preach in Jerusalem.  “You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem…” So they knew that was what God required them to do.  And if God’s commands clashed with the commands of the authorities, they knew they must obey God rather than men.

We can find other examples in the Bible of the same principle

A law was passed in Babylon making it illegal to pray to any God.  The only person to whom you could pray was the king.  Daniel knew he could not obey that law.  Every believer is commanded by God to pray.  So Daniel kept on praying – and he made sure that people knew he was praying.  He prayed by his open window so everyone could see him (Daniel 6:10).  He broke the law of the land in order to keep the commandment of God.

The believers for whom John wrote the book of Revelation were ordered by the authorities to worship the Emperor.  Each of them was expected to show his loyalty by burning a pinch of incense at the Emperor’s shrine.  When they had done that, they would be issued with a certificate to say they had conformed.  Without the certificate, they could face persecution or death.  But they knew God’s law.  “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).  And they knew they must obey God rather than men.

In these cases, it was simple. There was a clear directive from men which flatly contradicted a plain command from God.  The problem is that for us things aren’t always that simple.  It’s not always that clear what God has commanded us to do in a situation.  And it’s often hard to be sure when the commands of men do contradict the commands of God.

Situations where it’s hard to be sure

Let me give you an example.  God has commanded us to preach the gospelGo and make disciples… But he has not told us how, where or when to do that.  There is no direct command to deliver leaflets from door to door, or to run a Sunday-school, or to hold services in nursing-homes.  If the government passed laws forbidding us to do those things, would we say that we must break those laws?  Or would we say, “that’s OK – we’ll just find other ways to keep God’s commands and spread the gospel”?

What if the government made it illegal to preach the gospel in any public place, to hand out tracts, to set up a book-table, to talk about God in hospitals, schools, universities, places of employment?  Would we say, “Well, we can still tell people the gospel in our own homes.  We must just work harder at inviting people into our own homes, and tell them the gospel there”.  Or would we defy the law and carry on speaking out in public?

You see the problem.  The authorities in Jerusalem issued a total ban on any sort of witness to Jesus – in public or in private. So the apostles had no option but to defy them.  But what if the authorities had simply said, “You can preach – but not in the temple which we control”.  Or “you can preach – but not in the streets where you could cause an obstruction”?  Would the apostles still have felt it was necessary to break the law?

If a government completely forbids us to do something which God has commanded us to do, we know where we stand.  If the government were simply to forbid us to meet as a church, or to read the Bible, or to preach the gospel or to pray, or to baptise, or to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, it would be simple.  We would have to disobey the government.   But it’s rarely that governments work in that way.  They prefer to hedge us round with restrictions.  “Yes you may preach in the open air, but you must not say anything that could be regarded as stirring up hatred”.  “Yes you may baptise converts – but not if they’re under 16″.  And believers have often found it difficult to know where to draw the line.  Some believers became involved in smuggling Bibles illegally into communist countries.  Others said, “God has told us to preach the gospel to all nations, but he’s never told us it must be done by taking Bibles into those countries. So we should abide by the law however unfair it may be”.  Who was right?

Let me give you another example – one that we’ve had to think about ourselves as a family.  God has commanded believers to bring up their children in the “discipline and instruction” of the Lord (Ephesians 6::4).  But he has not told us exactly how that should be done.  He has never said that parents must do all the training and teaching themselves (if he had, we wouldn’t send our children to be taught in Sunday-school classes). He has not told us that our children must only be instructed by believers. (Remember Moses was brought up as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and “instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” – Acts 7:22).  He hasn’t said that we must never let unbelievers influence their minds (if he had, we wouldn’t let them read any book – even a dictionary or encyclopaedia – written by a non-Christian).

Nevertheless, many Christian parents have decided that the best way of ensuring that they are brought up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, is to do most of the teaching themselves.  We made that decision.  At the present we’re home-schooling our children.  There’s no law to say that we must send them to a state-approved school, so we don’t.

But what if the law changed?  What if the government said that we must send them to school?  Would we break that law? Would we say that the government is trying to prevent us from bringing them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord?  Or would we say that we can still bring them up in the Lord’s ways, even if we hand them over to a state school for six or seven hours each day?

If we decide that we can send them to a state approved school, where do we draw the line? Suppose that every school – whether in the state or independent sector – had to teach “gay” practices to five and six year olds?  Suppose that the curriculum required teachers to use graphic visual materials to illustrate those practices?  And suppose that there was no opt-out?  At present, parents have the legal right to withdraw their children from sex education classes.  But our present government (I’m writing this before May 6th !) have been working to change the law at that point.  Would I still say, “well I must abide by the law of the land?” Or would I say, “I must protect my children from being exposed to such corrupting things, even if it means breaking the law?”

Many of the German believers with whom we spent Easter have wrestled with these questions. State schools in Germany have gone further than ours in teaching depravity to children. Christian schools are few and far between.  Many believers would like to home-school their children.  But home-schooling is illegal in Germany.  So they are all wrestling with Ephesians 6:4 and similar passages.  Some have decided that they can in good conscience send their children to school, and then try to counter their corrupting influences at home.  Others have decided that they must break the law.  Who is right?

Let me give you a few more examples…

1.  God has said (to Noah and his sons), “be fruitful and multiply, teem on the earth and multiply on it” (Genesis 9:7).  Suppose a government passes a law to say that any couple can have only one child. Are Christians bound by that law?

2.  God has said “Do not withhold discipline from a child.  If you strike him with a rod, he will not die… you will save his soul from Sheol” (Prov 23:13-14).  Suppose a  government passes a law making it illegal for a parent to discipline their child in any way that leaves a bruise or mark.  Parents know that using a rod is always liable to leave a mark.  Should they stop using a rod to discipline their children?

3.  God has said, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.  Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a rest day for the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:8)., Suppose the government, in a time of national economic crisis, required all citizens to work 7 days a week.  What should Christians do?

4.  God has said, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2).  Every Christian has a duty to be hospitable.  Suppose a government passes a  law saying that no-one could invite visitors to stay in their home, unless they held a certificate to show that they were “approved hosts”.  Suppose you were refused a certificate.  Would you still show hospitality to strangers?

5.  The Lord Jesus has said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them…” (Matthew 28:19).  Suppose a government passes a law saying that the church must supply a list of all baptismal candidates to the authorities.  Each candidate will be interviewed by a government inspector to make sure that he or she is acting freely without coercion and has not been brainwashed or otherwise exploited.  Would we comply with the law?

Well, I think I know what I would do in each of those five cases.  But I’m well aware that other Christians might come to different conclusions.  Life isn’t simple. But I hope that we can agree at least on some big principles.  Here are four.

Christians must submit to the law of the land even when it is unreasonable, unjust, or causes us inconvenience

The only exception to that is when the law forbids us to do what God has clearly commanded, or when it commands us to do what God has clearly forbidden.

Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities… Because of this you must also pay taxes” (Romans 13:1).   The tax system may be unfair – it certainly was in Paul’s day.  But he still told Christians they must keep the law and pay their taxes.  Yes, the money might be used for all sorts of wicked purposes – to finance wars of aggression, the Emperor’s orgies, even the persecution of Christians!  But Paul does not say that Christians should refuse to pay or evade payment.

Peter wrote to the churches of Asia Minor.  “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution…” The members of those churches included slaves.  “Slaves be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust..” (1 Peter 2:13-18).  We might think it was a bad law which allowed masters to treat slaves unjustly.  But Peter says that Christian slaves must submit to it.  They are not entitled to break the law and run away, or to try to foment rebellion in the household.  Paul put it even more strongly, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ…” (Ephesians 6:5).

Joseph and Mary obeyed the decree of Caesar and travelled to Bethlehem to be registered (Luke 2:1).  The decree was bureaucratic, oppressive, inconvenient, but they kept it.  The Lord Jesus, God’s Son, kept the law of the land.  He discarded  the “traditions” of the respectable, but when he was put on trial, no-one could quote one example of an occasion where he had broken the law.  Paul on trial before Festus could say, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offence” (Acts 25:8).

Many Christians have a very casual attitude towards law-breaking.  They feel free to break the speed limit when they’re late for meetings.  They feel free to ignore the red tape with which government tries to tie us up.  But the Bible insists that we must be law-keepers, careful to keep even unnecessary and absurd laws.  We may not think that it’s necessary to get a CRB certificate before giving a teenage boy a lift in our car, but if the authorities insist on it, we’ll submit to that regulation.  We may not think the church kitchens need to be subject to the Health and Safety checks appropriate for a commercial operation, but if that’s the law we’ll accept it.

Christians must be prepared to break the law of the land when it clearly contradicts God’s laws

I gave examples at the beginning of this letter of Christians who had to do that in Bible times.  And we could cite many more examples from the history of the church.  Christians in many countries all over the world today are being persecuted because they are determined to obey God rather than men. And we may find ourselves more and more often in that position.  God has commanded that churches are to put out of their membership anyone who lives an immoral life (1 Corinthians 5:11).  If “equality laws” tell us that we must accept adulterers or practising homosexuals into the church membership, we will break those laws.   If “hate laws” tell us that we must not witness to Muslims, we will break those laws.  If a future government were to insist that unborn children known to have handicaps must be aborted, Christian parents will break that law.

Christians must be prepared to take the consequences of breaking the law in obedience to God

We cannot lie our way out of trouble.  I’m not saying that we must always parade our disobedience to the law.  But I do mean that if challenged, we must be prepared to tell the truth, even if that brings persecution. The apostles were up-front in their reply to the authorities: legal or not, “we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).  Daniel was equally upfront about his determination to keep praying – he did it in front of the open window.  The believers who were pressed to worship at Caesar’s shrine could have bribed an official to turn a blind eye or to issue them with a false certificate.  But no, they knew that lies and fraud are just as wicked in God’s sight as worshipping false gods.

Suppose that in days to come, churches are required to sign a form to say that they will discriminate against no-one: they will show equal respect to people of all backgrounds, beliefs, orientations and lifestyles.  What will we do?  Will we sign the form and then quietly continue to exclude from our membership people who refuse to live by New Testament moral standards?  No, we will refuse to sign, and we will accept the penalties that may bring.

Suppose that sex-education lessons do become compulsory in all schools.  Does a christian parent have the option of keeping a child at home on those days, but writing a letter to the school to say that little Tommy was ill?  No.  God hates lies.  Keep Tommy away from school if that is what you believe to be right.  But then tell the truth and face the consequences.

Christians must not condemn or attack other Christians who may handle situations differently

I’m talking about those situations where it’s not clear whether God’s law and men’s laws do contradict each other.  Christians faced with those sorts of  situations must respect other Christians who come to different conclusions from their own.

In Romans 14, Paul is not discussing the issue of our relationship with the state, but the principles he lays down there are still relevant.  “Who are you to pass judgement on the servant of another?  It is before his own master that he stands or falls… Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.  Why do you pass judgment on your brother?  Of you, why do you despise your brother?  For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God…” (Romans 14:4-11).  Where God has not spoken clearly, it is not for me to judge my brother’s decisions.  I must believe that he’s acting in good faith, doing what he believes the Master requires of him.  And I must leave it to God to judge his actions – and mine.

Christian organisation A says, “we must smuggle Bibles”.  Organisation B says, “no, we will find other ways”.  Organisation A must not sneer at the “cowardice” of Organisation B.  Organisation B must not tut tut at the “irresponsibility” of Organisation A.   They’re not answerable to one another.  Each is answerable to the Lord.

One family decides that they must pull their children out of sex education lessons, even if it’s against the law.  Another family decides they must abide by the law – and then do all they can to counteract what the child is taught in school.  The two families must not quarrel or judge one another.  They must continue to support and encourage each other.  “Let us not pass judgement on one another any longer” (Romans 13:13).

The wisdom we need

Living as a Christian in this world is never an easy matter.  That’s why I’m glad that the whole question of “obeying God rather than men” is being addressed at the Assembly.  It will be touched on in a number of sessions, and addressed directly in one session, headlined as Render to Caesar.  In that session,  Andrew Keen, a solicitor specialising in criminal law will lay out principles to help us think through such difficult issues.  Maybe he’ll be able to throw more light on some of our dilemmas.  But in the end we fall back on James’s words: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5).

May God give us his wisdom for every situation we face.

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2 Comments

  • admin

    Dear Laura, Thank you for writing and for the important question you sent to our church website (gbcstockport.org.uk). It is a question with which many Christians wrestle, but I think it’s based on a misunderstanding. It is indeed God’s unchanging commandment that all mankind should rest on the seventh day. But it does not specify a particular day. it simply states that we should work for a period of six days, and then the next day – the seventh – should be set aside as holy to the Lord. “Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day – ie the next day – is a Sabbath to YHWH your God” (Ex 20:9). When we do this, we are following the example the Lord set at creation (vs 11).

    If I were living in the land of Israel, I would work for six days starting on Sunday, and then set aside the seventh day – Saturday – as a holy day to the Lord. If I lived in Saudi Arabia I would work for six days starting on Saturday, and then set aside the seventh day – Friday – as my Sabbath. Here in the UK, the believers in this church work for six days starting Monday and then keep the seventh day – Sunday – as their Sabbath.

    For a discussion of the importance of keeping the sabbath, see https://www.gbcstockport.org.uk/manse/made-for-man-the-sabbath-today. Thank you again for getting in touch. I’m encouraged to know of any believer who’s concerned to take God’s commandments seriously.

    God bless you, Stephen Rees, Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Stockport.

  • Laura

    So my question is, if we are to obey God rather than man or the traditions of man, how does this Sabbath, the seventh day Sabbath that I read God set us as Holy at creations d every where in the Bible that Seventh day Sabbath is up held? What do I do about this problem?

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