Civil Law vs. God's Law
Occasionally, in Church classes, there are questions that go unanswered. Sometimes they aren't pertaining to the subject matter being discussed at the time. Sometimes there isn't sufficient time in the class period to answer every question. Sometimes no one knows what the true answer is. Several weeks ago, a woman asked a question that I didn't feel was fully answered at the time. I wasn't teaching the class, but I heard her repeating the same question, obviously not hearing a satisfying answer. Her question: What should we do if the country's laws are contrary to God's laws?
"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law." (Article of Faith 12) We believe in obeying the law of the land in which we live. There may be times, however, when we don't feel that the laws of the land in which we live are in harmony with God's laws. When this happens, there are a few things we can ask ourselves.
Can I keep God's commandments as I see them?
Hundreds of years ago, a prophet named Moses received ten commandments written in stone by the finger of God. They include such things as "honor thy father and thy mother", "thou shalt not commit adultery", "thou shalt not bear false witness", and "thou shalt not covet."(Exodus 20:1-17) For centuries, this law was kept, and accepted by the Judeo-Christian world. People who broke these commandments were punished, sometimes even put to death for disobedience to these laws.
The country where I live is not a church state. The government is not run by the church; nor is the church run by the government. The constitution was written to ensure a separation of church and state. Therefore, the laws of the land are intended to ensure basic rights for all people: life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, and not to promote any specific religion. In our country there are people with many belief systems - some who believe in God, some who don't. The laws of the land are intended to help all these people live in harmony with each other.
Sometimes the laws of the land parallel God's laws because they promote a peaceful society. (i.e. Thou shalt not steal.) Others of God's laws (i.e. remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.) are not seen as promoting peace, and so are not part of the laws of the country. There are those in this country who believe Saturday to be the Sabbath, others who worship on Sundays, and still others who would feel very harassed to be compelled to recognize any day as holy. This is their right. "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where or what they may." (Article of Faith 11)
The state of Colorado recently legalized marijuana. Alcohol and tobacco are legal. so is same-gender marriage in some states, and abortion. Just because these things are legal does not mean that we have to do them. Yes, they are permissible according to the laws of the land, but I don't believe I should have them in my life, therefore I can choose not to. That is my right.
Can I change the law?
Occasionally there may come an issue that we may perceive as being harmful to society as well as contrary to God's laws. (For example, we may believe that abortion denies babies of their right to life, is detrimental to the mental health of the mothers, and is contrary to God's law "Thou shalt not kill".) It is our right, and our responsibility, to do what we can to promote good laws. We should vote for what we believe to be best for the citizens of our country. We can write letters to our government representatives to try to persuade them to our point of view. We can talk to our friends and neighbors to promote our ideals and views. We can support those running for office who have similar ideals. We can run for offices ourselves to promote good laws. We can try to appeal bad laws and do all in our power to keep them from being passed.
What about when the law mandates we disobey God's law?
It is very rare for there to be a direct conflict between the law of the land and God's law. God's laws help us to live in peace and harmony with each other, which is a similar goal to most governments. Obeying God's law will usually keep us within the bounds of civil law. Some day, however, those who govern may lose sight of the bigger picture. They may overreach their authority, or will be so wrapped up in pride or vanity that they will make laws that are truly contrary to God's law.
In the Old Testament, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were put in a situation where they had to choose whether to obey the king's law: "...fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up." (Daniel 3:5) or God's law: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, ...Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them" (Exodus 20:4-5). The laws were totally contradictory and these men were left with the choice to obey one law or the other. The consequences of disobeying the king's law were immediate and deadly. The blessings of obeying God's law required faith to believe and time to become evident. These righteous men chose to obey God's law, and while they suffered the consequences of the king (they were cast into a fiery furnace) they received great blessings from God (they were not harmed).
When there is a direct conflict between the country's laws and God's laws--when we have no choice but to disobey one in order to obey the other, we must obey God's laws. We may have to suffer the earthly consequences, but the blessings that come from faith and sacrifice, from trusting in God, will be greater than we can imagine.
"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law." (Article of Faith 12) We believe in obeying the law of the land in which we live. There may be times, however, when we don't feel that the laws of the land in which we live are in harmony with God's laws. When this happens, there are a few things we can ask ourselves.
Can I keep God's commandments as I see them?
Hundreds of years ago, a prophet named Moses received ten commandments written in stone by the finger of God. They include such things as "honor thy father and thy mother", "thou shalt not commit adultery", "thou shalt not bear false witness", and "thou shalt not covet."(Exodus 20:1-17) For centuries, this law was kept, and accepted by the Judeo-Christian world. People who broke these commandments were punished, sometimes even put to death for disobedience to these laws.
The country where I live is not a church state. The government is not run by the church; nor is the church run by the government. The constitution was written to ensure a separation of church and state. Therefore, the laws of the land are intended to ensure basic rights for all people: life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, and not to promote any specific religion. In our country there are people with many belief systems - some who believe in God, some who don't. The laws of the land are intended to help all these people live in harmony with each other.
Sometimes the laws of the land parallel God's laws because they promote a peaceful society. (i.e. Thou shalt not steal.) Others of God's laws (i.e. remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.) are not seen as promoting peace, and so are not part of the laws of the country. There are those in this country who believe Saturday to be the Sabbath, others who worship on Sundays, and still others who would feel very harassed to be compelled to recognize any day as holy. This is their right. "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where or what they may." (Article of Faith 11)
The state of Colorado recently legalized marijuana. Alcohol and tobacco are legal. so is same-gender marriage in some states, and abortion. Just because these things are legal does not mean that we have to do them. Yes, they are permissible according to the laws of the land, but I don't believe I should have them in my life, therefore I can choose not to. That is my right.
Can I change the law?
Occasionally there may come an issue that we may perceive as being harmful to society as well as contrary to God's laws. (For example, we may believe that abortion denies babies of their right to life, is detrimental to the mental health of the mothers, and is contrary to God's law "Thou shalt not kill".) It is our right, and our responsibility, to do what we can to promote good laws. We should vote for what we believe to be best for the citizens of our country. We can write letters to our government representatives to try to persuade them to our point of view. We can talk to our friends and neighbors to promote our ideals and views. We can support those running for office who have similar ideals. We can run for offices ourselves to promote good laws. We can try to appeal bad laws and do all in our power to keep them from being passed.
What about when the law mandates we disobey God's law?
It is very rare for there to be a direct conflict between the law of the land and God's law. God's laws help us to live in peace and harmony with each other, which is a similar goal to most governments. Obeying God's law will usually keep us within the bounds of civil law. Some day, however, those who govern may lose sight of the bigger picture. They may overreach their authority, or will be so wrapped up in pride or vanity that they will make laws that are truly contrary to God's law.
In the Old Testament, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were put in a situation where they had to choose whether to obey the king's law: "...fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up." (Daniel 3:5) or God's law: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, ...Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them" (Exodus 20:4-5). The laws were totally contradictory and these men were left with the choice to obey one law or the other. The consequences of disobeying the king's law were immediate and deadly. The blessings of obeying God's law required faith to believe and time to become evident. These righteous men chose to obey God's law, and while they suffered the consequences of the king (they were cast into a fiery furnace) they received great blessings from God (they were not harmed).
When there is a direct conflict between the country's laws and God's laws--when we have no choice but to disobey one in order to obey the other, we must obey God's laws. We may have to suffer the earthly consequences, but the blessings that come from faith and sacrifice, from trusting in God, will be greater than we can imagine.
Love your conclusion. :)
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