God's View On Lawbreaking: A Divine Perspective

The Bible makes it clear that Christians are to follow the governing authorities that God has placed over them. In Romans 13:1-7, the Bible says, Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So, when we break the law, we are being lawless and sinning against God. However, there is one exception. Christians are instructed to obey God rather than any human authority when that authority contradicts God's law. This is exemplified in Acts 5:27-29, where the apostles were commanded by the high council to stop sharing the name of Jesus but refused, understanding that they answered to God, who wants Christians to share their faith with others.

God wants us to obey the laws of our government

> Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.

Here, it is clear that God wants us to obey the laws of our government. By rebelling against the authorities, we are disobeying God and will be punished. The Bible also says in 1 Peter 2:13-15:

> Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

This reinforces the idea that God wants us to submit to the governing authorities and follow the laws they impose on us. It is His will that we obey these laws.

However, there is one exception to this rule. God does not want us to obey our government when it contradicts His laws. In Acts 5:27-29, the apostles were commanded by the high council to stop sharing the name of Jesus, but they understood that they answered to a higher authority – God. They said, "We must obey God rather than any human authority." This shows that when a government's laws go against God's teachings, Christians have a responsibility to obey God over the governing authority.

Sin is lawlessness

God has established governing authorities in our lives to maintain order, punish evil, and promote justice. As Christians, we are expected to follow these authorities and their laws because they are placed over us by God. The Bible says, "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." Therefore, anyone who rebels against authority is also rebelling against God.

The Bible also says, "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore, he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves." We must submit to governing authorities to avoid punishment and to keep a clear conscience.

However, there is an exception to this rule. Christians should not obey governing authorities when those authorities contradict God's law. In Acts 5:27-29, the apostles were commanded by the high council to stop sharing the name of Jesus, but they understood that they answered to a higher authority—God. They said, "We must obey God rather than any human authority."

Christians are also expected to obey God's laws. Sin is defined as lawlessness, a violation of God's standard. When we break God's laws, we are being lawless and sinning. God wants us to live a holy life, and He asks us to confess our sins to Him so that He can forgive us.

In summary, God wants us to obey the laws of our government and His laws. Breaking these laws is considered sin, or lawlessness, and it makes God unhappy. However, when a government's laws contradict God's laws, Christians should obey God rather than human authority.

God punishes those who rebel against authority

God wants us to obey the laws set by the government. In fact, it is God's will that we do so. This is because God is the one who establishes and removes governments. As Romans 13:1-4 says:

> Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

The Bible also says:

> Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.

God has placed governing authorities in our lives to establish order, punish evil and promote justice. When we rebel against authority, we disobey God and will receive our just punishment.

However, there is one exception to this rule. Christians should not obey the government when it contradicts God's law. For example, in Acts 5:27-29, the apostles were told by the high council to stop sharing the name of Jesus with people. But they understood that they answered to a higher authority – God. They said: "We must obey God rather than any human authority".

Christians should break the law when it contradicts God's law

The Bible makes it clear that Christians are to follow the governing authorities that God has placed over them. The Bible says, "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." It also states that those who rebel against authority are rebelling against what God has instituted and will be punished.

However, there are times when believers in Christ should break the law made by governing bodies. A Christian should only break the law when that authority contradicts the law of God and the Bible and would cause a believer to sin. For example, in the book of Acts, the apostles were commanded by the high council to stop sharing the name of Jesus with people. The apostles understood that they answered to a higher authority—God. If they had stopped sharing Jesus Christ with others, they would have sinned against God to please man.

In another instance, a middle-aged lady and an army veteran were arrested for praying silently in public in Britain. This demonstrates how some laws can contradict God's command to pray and share one's faith with others.

Christians are also persecuted by governing authorities in other parts of the world. For example, a 32-year-old pastor, Youcef Nadarkhani, was arrested in Iran and sentenced to death for converting from Islam to Christianity. In Iran, Sharia or Islamic Law prohibits individuals from converting from Islam to other religions. In such cases, Christians are faced with the dilemma of obeying God or obeying the law.

Ultimately, Christians should generally follow the law, but when faced with a choice between obeying God or obeying the law, their response must be to obey God. This is because, as the Bible says, "We must obey God rather than any human authority."

God forgives sins after they are committed and admitted to

God is merciful and forgives sins—even serious ones—but only if the sinner is truly penitent. God's forgiveness is dependent on the sinner's willingness to admit their wrongdoing and seek forgiveness.

The Bible says that God forgives those who are truly seeking it. God's forgiveness is infinite for those who seek it, but it is not an excuse to sin. God's grace is described as a gift, and it is only extended to those who are truly sorry for their sins and do not wish to continue sinning.

God's mercy is unstinting and takes into account human limitations and imperfections. He forgives even serious sins if the sinner is penitent. For example, the apostle Peter denied Christ three times, and the apostle Paul persecuted Christ's followers before they became believers.

However, God does not forgive those who sin willfully after receiving the truth. Such people have an entrenched evil disposition and are not sorry for their actions.

God wants people to obey the laws imposed by the government because He establishes and removes governments. Breaking the law is being lawless and is considered a sin.

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