Are Dissidents UnChristian For Not Believing What The Government Says?

[Guest]

The Apostle Peter wrote: “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17). What if a dissident distrusts all worldly systems of power? What if the dissident has greater faith in a small number of highly acclaimed experts, award-winning journalists, and the world's most courageous political activists? What if the dissident believes in an incredible human system of evil that is deluding the whole world? What should the Christian attitude be towards him?

[OneLight]

I find you question too undefined, leaving people open to fill in too many blanks.  Perhaps you can explain, in more detail, what you are talking about.

• What world systems of power are you talking about?
• Who are these small number of highly acclaimed expert and what are they experts in?
• Who are these award winning journalists?
• Who are the worlds most courageous political activists?
• Please explain what this incredible human system of evil is.

 

I can answer your last question by stating that our faith in Christ allows us to have a love for even the vilest of people, why would this person be any different?  Saying that, this love also moves us to correct where correction is needed, encourage where encouragement is needed, have patience when needed, etc.  It does not mean to just ignore the person and let the person fall into sin.

[Kan]

Loyalty should be conditional otherwise it is not an intelligent decision.

 

For the Christian, loyalty to God and His heavenly government comes first, then earthly rulers within the laws of God.

 

It just so happens that if the laws of God are revered that the government and country receive the benefit, because no country can prosper while there is thieving, adultery, murder and deception going on, either by the rulers or the populace. 

 

A Christian should avoid being a dissident or an activist against any government, but history has proven that when Satan has success in bringing the leadership under his corrupting influence, that the innocent fall to oppression.

 

An improper injunction by a government is rarely without years of planning on someone's part, and any sudden revolt will only serve the purpose of Satan to cause further suffering and chaos.

It is the believer's duty to let his/her life be an influence for good in everyday life, as little actions are far reaching and even able to change the course of history without any awareness on our part.

[Servant of the Lion]

The Lord said to obey the laws of the country we are in, but you should also remember that none of these governments are your government. Your government is the Kingdom of God. As far as trusting a government goes, quite the opposite. We were warned many times that governments will turn on you for being a child of God, for not belonging to this world. Look at what happened to the apostles.

 

What it comes down to is this, pay your taxes, obey the law, live a life of love. Remember that no government except the Kingdom of God is perfect.

 

Much love Brother.

[FreeinChrist]

While the Bible clearly states that we are to obey the Government we are under, Romans 13:1-7; we are also told that we are to obey God first.

Then Peter and the other Apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:29

So sometimes a Christian shouldn't obey the Government.  But the examples you have given are a little unclear; but if they try to deny us the right to teach other of Jesus Christ, yes we shouldn't obey that law.

[Riverwalker]

While the Bible clearly states that we are to obey the Government we are under, Romans 13:1-7; we are also told that we are to obey God first.

Then Peter and the other Apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:29

So sometimes a Christian shouldn't obey the Government.  But the examples you have given are a little unclear; but if they try to deny us the right to teach other of Jesus Christ, yes we shouldn't obey that law.

 

 

Now you realize that Paul...who wrote Romans was killed for preaching the gospel and not obeying the authority of Rome

 

I do believe the bible tells us that as much as is possible, live in peace with one another

 

but when the authority goes contrary to the word of God, we become disobedient to that authority

 

I fully expect that one day I will be a criminal, simply because of what I believe

[Willa]

I don't trust politicians or earthly governments. I honor them because law and order is established by God and anarchy is of satan. So I have marched against abortion, but have never rioted or been unlawful in doing so. It is not wrong to protest evil within the limits of the law. God's authority is always preeminent. I do not pay homage to any man. I do pay my taxes. Our police force is not infallible but I support law and order.

In the US public institutions are required by lawyers to not make statements to the press, so public sentiment is often contrived against them by dissidents, hate filled rebels, and neighborhood organizers before the facts are made known to the public. Even bystanders may not see everything that occurred depending on their view and lighting. So I most often believe the conclusions of police investigations and courts. That is how I honor them.

The experts and world acclaimed men are not necessarily acclaimed by God. He makes foolish the wisdom of the wise. If they are endorsed by the world they are probably not godly. So should they be trusted? Trust God. If the dissidents are working in an orderly, lawful fashion, we can at least admire them for standing up for what they believe, even if what they believe is totally wrong and they are making fools of themselves.