4:269 – What About Unjust Laws?

#faithbites #faithjourney unjust

Setting

Yesterday we talked about obeying laws and submitting to our governing authorities. I quoted scripture and showed that we need to follow the laws even when others are doing wrong or not looking. A great question was asked about unjust laws. When us it ok to not follow a law? When is civil disobedience ok? This is a deep question. The only answer I have is to follow our laws and God’s law. When there is a conflict, we follow God’s law. He is always just, caring, and loving.

Todays Questions: Have you ever followrd an unjust law? Have you ever broken a law becuase it was not following God’s law?

Scripture

• Acts 5:29 – But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
• 1 Peter 2:13-17 – Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Reflection

There js a lot to unpack here. Most of the time, Christians make good citizens and most laws are derived from the 10 commandments. Many ithwr ewlugions have similiar rules as the core of their faith. It is easy to follow those rules akd we should. There are some laws that we dont like but dont vo against gods law. In these cases, we follow the law. When there is a conflict, a true conflct, then we do what we can to overturn the unjust law and follow our faith. Heck, even Jesus followed the laws until they conflict with Gods laws. Remember him flipping tables? Prime example.

As a Christian, I am told to love unconditionally, forgive, and help others grow. We need to learn the difference between laws that we don’t like and laws that are unjust. Weshould never weaponize our faith against laws we dont loke or any laws. Our faith leads us to action which should be to support all of Gods children and lead to justice for all.

As we close, remember that if one of man’s laws rubs you the wrong way, see if its just one you dont like or its against God’s law. Find ways to share His love and fight against the unjust not just thise laws that you dont like.

Prayer

Lord God, you tell us to follow our governing authorities with you being at the top. Help hs know the difference between laws that we dont like and laws that conflict with your teachings. Help us to understand how to live with the laws we dont like and change them. For those that arw unjust, prpvide us with ways to fight the law while showing love and kindness. In your name, we ask this, Amen.