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BBrad
 Jun 24, 07 - 4:23 AM |
Disobey
When is it right to disobey a parent, teacher, priest, government etc? Obviously it is wrong to obey them if we have to go against our conscience, but what if they believe in their heart of hearts, according to their conscience, that what they are asking is right but we think it is wrong, what then? I think Christians need to think about this, if Satan is the god of this world then we are the true rebels. Unfortunately many Christians act as though disobeying those in authority is to disobey God. Sometimes it is but not all the time. Because of this kind of thinking they are unable to question some of the doctrines within the Church because they think by questioning those in authority they are questioning God. If we are to make right judgements we need guts. Here is a link about when it is right to disobey. I'm looking forward to your comments. http://www.jesus-wept.org/disobey.htm |
Mike Burke
Jun 26th, 2007 - 7:07 AM |
Re: Disobey
[Quote] When is it right to disobey a parent, teacher, priest, government etc? [unquote] The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people...Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:1, 18-20.) [Quote]...if Satan is the god of this world then we are the true rebels. [unquote] I think it would be more accurate to say that Satan is the true rebel. Saul was both a rebel, and the God appointed king of Israel. In many ways he was much like Satan, and for many years David (who God had appointed to be the next king of Israel) was much like the children of God are in this world. Was David a true rebel? He said to Saul, "Why do you listen when men say, 'David is bent on harming you'? This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD's anointed.' See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. (1 Sam. 24:9-11.) On another occasion: Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice." But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. (1 Sam. 26:8-10.) David could wait for God to deal with Saul, and holy angels have the same patience in dealing with Satan: Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (Jude 9.) Scripture also says: ...the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. (Dan. 4:17.) And: Let every soul to the higher authorities be subject, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities existing are appointed by God, so that he who is setting himself against the authority, against God's ordinance hath resisted; and those resisting, to themselves shall receive judgment. For those ruling are not a terror to the good works, but to the evil; and dost thou wish not to be afraid of the authority? that which is good be doing, and thou shalt have praise from it, for of God it is a ministrant to thee for good; and if that which is evil thou mayest do, be fearing, for not in vain doth it bear the sword; for of God it is a ministrant, an avenger for wrath to him who is doing that which is evil. Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of the wrath, but also because of the conscience, for because of this also pay ye tribute; for servants of God they are, on this very thing attending continually; render, therefore, to all [their] dues; to whom tribute, the tribute; to whom custom, the custom; to whom fear, the fear; to whom honour, the honour. (Romans 13:1-7.) Even before Pilate, Jesus said: You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. (John 19:11.) I think this should be our general attitude toward those in authority. [Quote] Unfortunately many Christians act as though disobeying those in authority is to disobey God. Sometimes it is but not all the time. [unquote] True. When there is a conflict between obeying God, and obeying those in authority, we must obey God. The Apostolic answer to the Sanhedrin (in Acts 4) shows there is a time to disobey, and so did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-17.) [Quote] Because of this kind of thinking they are unable to question some of the doctrines within the Church because they think by questioning those in authority they are questioning God. [unquote] I hope not many go to that extreme. Neither civil or religious authorities have jurisdiction over one's mind. If we did not question, and think, how could we obey "the greatest commandment"? Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. (Matt. 22:37-38.) [Quote] If we are to make right judgments we need guts. [unquote] True, and the tribulation saints will need a lot of guts. I've often wondered about the meaning of the following passage: He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Rev. 13:10.) [Quote] Here is a link about when it is right to disobey. I'm looking forward to your comments. http://www.jesus-wept.org/disobey.htm [unquote] I found that article interesting (and edifying), and I liked the poem by George MacDonald. Thank you (and G-d Bless.) |
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