Godly Disobedience

“…We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29

The Bible has much to say about our obligation to submit to legitimate authorities. Indeed, the clear command of Scripture is that we are to be subject to those whom God has placed over us.

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2

Nevertheless, there is one authority above all other authorities, and that is God Himself. No human authority has been given the right to command disobedience to God. We know that all earthly authorities—civil magistrates, church officers, husbands, parents, employers, and others—are sinful, and yet God knowingly requires us to submit to them in the Lord. However, He does not permit those authorities to require sinful conduct from those under their care.

Not only may a human authority not command someone to sin, but those under such authority are obligated to refuse sinful demands. A wife, for example, cannot excuse sinful behavior by claiming she was merely obeying her husband. Neither may an employee engage in fraud at the direction of his employer. Likewise, the church may not submit to ungodly requirements imposed by the civil magistrate.

Such obedience to God often carries painful consequences because sinful authorities possess the power to inflict suffering upon those who resist them. The persecuted church has known this reality for more than two thousand years. Nevertheless, we must not compromise our loyalty to King Jesus. In the end, He is the One before whom we must all give an account.