Civil Disobedience and the Christian

We have allegiance to God, not government, with respect for all.

Some of my friends ask:

"Aren't Christians always supposed to obey the government?

The Biblical answer to that question is “No.”

Christians are to have spirits of submission and hearts of humility. but…

The Scripture nowhere teaches that Christians are always to obey government leaders.

We are to respect our leaders. But to “obey” the government, we must be persuaded of ‘the good’ that the government intends.

God is the abbreviation of the word “good.”

Our allegiance is to the God of all good.

Howard Zinn (1922-2010), a socialist leader in the Civil Rights movement, once made this accurate observation.

"Historically, the most terrible things, war, genocide, and slavery have resulted not from disobedience but obedience." 

You might object and say:

“But doesn't Romans 13:1 tell us to obey government authorities?”

That verse says, “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities."  Romans 13:1

Christians use this verse to justify blind obedience to government mandates.

However, the early disciples of Jesus often disobeyed government leaders.

Paul Disobeyed Governing Authorities