Bite Size Bible Study: It's the Law

This short Bible study explains the scriptural guidelines for dealing with just and unjust governments, just and unjust laws.

As an introduction to this study, please read the 1-minute devotion God Wins All Wrestling Matches. It shares something dishonest I did that ended in a "wrestling match with God."

How are we supposed to respond to unfair, unjust, or stupid rules from authority? What if the government, like the communist government in my situation, is especially ungodly and oppressive?

1. What Scripture says about governments and authorities.

I'm on the left in the photo taken on this 1980 tour to Prague

Romans 13:1-6: "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing."

1 Peter 2:13-17: "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor."

When these passages were written, were the governmental authorities godly and just? Were the leaders fair and reasonable?
Hint: When Paul wrote Romans 13, Nero was the emperor.

2. When are we supposed to disobey those in authority?

The Jewish leaders were concerned about the spread of the Gospel. Acts 4 and 5 explains how the Apostles responded to their commands:

Acts 4:18-20: 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, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Acts 5:27-32: "The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 'We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,' he said. 'Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.' 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: 'We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.'"

Combining 1 Peter 2:13-17, written by Peter, and the words spoken by Peter in this passage, we can understand when to obey and when to disobey governmental authority. All governments are corrupt to one degree or another, but that isn't reason to disobey them unless they command us to violate Scripture.

In God Wins All Wrestling Matches, I share something illegal I did of which I repented. Let me share another illegal thing I did on my 1980 trip to Czechoslovakia, something which God approved:

According to Czech communist laws at the time, "All unofficial attempts to increase the supply of religious materials are illegal" (source). However, I brought in a couple of New Testaments and left them in several locations, praying that God would guide the right person to find them. Why did I do this and not feel guilty? Because refusing people God's Word is against God's laws.

For additional study: