Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
This passage of scripture points us to our highest moral obligation, in that obedience to God must always take precedence over obedience to man-made laws, whenever and wherever they conflict. In this instance, the apostles were forbidden to speak or preach about Christ, and this injunction was handed down by the then ruling authorities. But there was one big problem with the requirement, for in fulfilling it, they would have to relinquish the great commission given them by Jesus, and under no circumstances were they to obey the law of the land, if it was contrary to a direct command from Christ. And in all such and similar situations, the same rule of engagement must apply, for the word and law of God trumps anything mortal man may mandate, if it prevents us from rendering obedience to God, which is His due.
But we must be aware as Christians, that various types of pressure will be exerted against the truth, and those of us who dare to stand in defense of truth and duty, may at times become targets of the ire of the dragon, who hates the divine precepts, and is bent on eradicating the laws and commandments of God from the consciences of earth's teeming multitudes. But we thank God for Jesus, for He has already triumphed over sin and satan, and thus, it is just a matter of time before sin, and sinners who persist in iniquity, are signally overthrown by His omnipotent power. We are now living dangerously close to that time, hence the reason why the following verses should be viewed as a caution. Let's read:
Matthew 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
A very dangerous storm is brewing on the horizon, by which the eternal destiny of souls will be decided, and the showdown will be centered in our highest duty to God, and our duty to man. The powers that be are ordained of God, but they were not ordained to do as they very please, for God is the Sovereign Ruler of heaven and earth, and in such a capacity, will hold individuals and nations accountable for the evils that are being perpetrated, in places high and low. This sacred truth will take place in real time, even if the nation or person is not a Christian, for it makes no difference whatsoever, since all people are held to the same standard of right and wrong. Although each person is to be judged and rewarded based on available knowledge and conviction, yet the standard is the same for all men, for the law of God is the means whereby we are saved for eternity, or otherwise scheduled for destruction. Let's read:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
It is therefore incumbent upon us to make choices that are in harmony with what the scriptures predict will come to pass, and thus, in our interaction with state and governments, let us be aware that our highest and first moral obligation is to the God of heaven, and if in obeying Him, the laws of men fall into the same line, then so be it. But if not, let us remember that we ought to obey God rather than men. We therefore end with two passages of scripture which warns us about the issues that are about to be unfurled, and let us by the grace of God be found faithful to truth and duty, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Let's read:
Revelation 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman"..... 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!