Learning to live under authority is a part of life. From the time we’re born, we have someone in authority over us. We are taught how to talk, act, and live as we should. Even as adults, we usually have authority figures in the workplace and in the world in which we live.
We are a nation of laws on local, state, and federal levels. And as such, we have government officials who have the job of seeing that laws are upheld and obeyed. In fact, Romans 13 says that government is an institution ordained by God for the purpose of seeing justice served. But what would you do, if the government was corrupt and began making laws contrary to God’s Word? Or what would you do if the government attempted to ban you from doing some of the very things God commands us to do?
Christians are called to be witnesses to the world. And in order to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with sinners, we must at times define sin. Increasingly, some in our society, and even our own government, have begun to try and dictate to the people what sin is and is not. So called “hate crimes” legislation is seen by many as the beginning of government’s attempt to prevent Christians from speaking out against sins such as homosexuality and abortion. Some political leaders in our nation have even said that they would like to monitor and punish Christians who would say things against these depraved practices.
In all honesty, we shouldn’t be too surprised at the moral weakness of our government. As Christians, this world is not our home; and as Americans we are beginning to see that truth more and more clearly each day. My question for you is this: would you be willing to defy the King, if obedience to your Lord was at stake? In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan confronted David over his adultery with Bathsheba. And in so doing he literally risked his own neck. But the Bible says:
"Then the LORD sent Nathan to David." 2 Samuel 12:1 (NASB)
In other words, his defiance and confrontation of the king was an act of obedience to God. And King or no King, Nathan was called to speak the truth, and he faithfully did it regardless of the consequences. Would you do the same?
The time may come in your life in which you’ll have to choose between God and man. Between right and wrong. Between freedom and tyranny. Between this present world, and God’s eternal one. Which will you choose? Like Nathan, will you choose to do right and accept the consequences of your integrity? Or will you cower and go along like sheep to the slaughter? The good will always suffer in a bad world. Are you willing to embrace that suffering for the cause of Christ or will you instead choose to bow to an earthly king and a godless government?
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