Lord of the Law: Part V

Closing Arguments

(Continued from Part IV)

So we can see that the law is not something created by man nor does he define it. It preexists man. It is a natural part of God’s creation and comes from God’s heart. It is only to be discovered by man and accurately applied. And, just like every other part of God’s creation, there is an appointed hierarchy of authority with regard to the law’s application. Governments are only authorized to apply the law as long as they do so under the authority of the Supreme Lawgiver. The moment any government begins to arbitrarily apply laws apart from that authority it is illegitimate.

I know, I know. This opens up some questions:

1. What about people who don’t believe the Bible?
2. So, is breaking (insert questionable law here) a sin or not?

Let’s deal with these briefly, one at a time…

Question 1: What about people who don’t believe in the Bible?

Answer: Good question. The 10 Commandments (considered to be the heart of the law) basically deals with two relationships: 1) Man’s relationship with God and 2) man’s relationship with men. Jesus summarized this for us and condensed it into two, basic commandments…

“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’” — Matthew 22: 37-40

It is true that God will hold everyone accountable to all of the law. Anyone who worships idols, who has other gods before Him, who does not love God will have to account to God for it. But the laws of men should not outlaw such behavior because not all men are a part of the covenant people of God. Paul explained this to the Corinthians when he pointed out that it was not their job to judge the world but to judge only one another:

“For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside.” — 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

For the second part of the commandments, the part that deals with man’s relationship with men, God has authorized government to judge. These are things that transgress the God-given rights of others. You may not murder, or steal, or commit adultery. These are things that harm other people — that violate their rights — and we may not do them. These are the things governments are authorized to legislate against. And what’s more — as I pointed out in Lord of the Law: Part II, Natural Law — these are things written on the hearts of men and easily understood, even apart from any knowledge of the Bible. They also are almost universally accepted by people of all faiths — or no faith at all.

Question 2: So, is breaking (insert questionable law here) a sin or not?

Answer: It depends.

Governments have long been in the habit of legislating far beyond their authority. The most egregious examples (from a Christian perspective) are the governments throughout history that have outlawed Christianity. Rome mandated everyone recognize Caesar as a god. Does the Bible intend for Christians to “submit” to a government that mandates such a thing?

Of course not.

But what about examples not quite as cut-and-dried?

As a general rule, if a law exists to prevent you from encroaching on the rights of others it is legitimate. If, however, an existing law restricts your liberty for no other reason than some government bureaucrat thinks they know better than you how to run your life it is illegitimate.

A law against firing a loaded gun into a crowd is legitimate because firing a loaded gun into a crowd encroaches on the rights of the people in the crowd.

A law against possessing a loaded gun in your home is illegitimate because having such a gun does not violate anyone else’s rights. Furthermore, there is a legitimate purpose for having a loaded gun in one’s home — self defense. You do not have to ask the government’s permission to defend yourself, your family or your property against those who mean you harm.

To break an illegitimate law is no sin. Allow Scripture to be your guide in determining the difference.

But this does not mean governments will not enact and enforce illegitimate laws. They will and they do. They always have. And, to support my argument, I submit the following evidence:

Exhibit A: The state bans prayer at Christian institutions.

Exhibit B: The state tries to dictate the use of Church funds.

Exhibit C: Homeschoolers are ordered into public schools despite superior academic performance and against the wishes of their mother.

Exhibit D: A mother is ticketed for reviving her son.

Exhibit E: Parenting is being treated as a “governmental privilege.”

In all of these cases the government already has or is seeking to overstep it’s authority. No one has a moral or biblical obligation to obey such dictates from an illegitimate government. However, that being said, it must also be noted that resistance to illegitimate government is not to be taken lightly. The state does not like to be told where it has no authority and often deals harshly with those who dare make such statements.

Remember, even though a government may not have the legitimate authority to enact some laws, it often has the power to enforce them. You may not willingly consent to illegitimate laws, but you may want to comply because of the state’s threat of force.

Much like the example of a mugger who points a gun at you and demands your wallet. You don’t consent to give him your wallet; neither does he have the legitimate authority to take it. Nevertheless, you comply with his demand because he has the power to exercise force against you if you do not.

There are a host of illegitimate laws in our world. When do you comply and when do you not? That’s a question for you to decide.

In the first century Christians refused to comply with Rome’s demand to worship Caesar as a god because Rome had no legitimate authority to make such a demand. But many of those Christians died because Rome had the power to take their lives if they did not.

Where do you draw the line?

Where do you take your stand?

What price are you willing to pay?