Christians have a responsibility to be obedient to civil government. Verses such as Mark 12:17 and Romans chapter 13 make it clear that Christians have a duty to be obedient to civil government because God has ordained government “for your good.”

Knowing that Christians have a responsibility to civil government makes it hard for some to understand why we resist and fight some laws. If, they suppose, Christians are to obey government, why fight the HHS mandate or the redefinition of marriage?

For those leading the charge in these particular areas of culture change it makes no sense for Christians to expend all their energy fighting the government when they should, as the Bible teaches, submit to and obey the government. Rather than risk the loss of livelihood or be fined for resisting and opposing laws mandated by the government, Christians ought to submit and obey.

While that is, technically true, it is not entirely true and stands outside the context of Christian responsibility.

Yes, Christians are to obey government. But only to the extent that government agrees with biblical principle and truth.

Practically speaking what this means is that it is impossible for Christians to accept, condone, support, or be involved in any behavior or actions the Bible clearly labels as sin.

So, for example, just because the Supreme Court decided that abortion is legal in the United States during the 1973 Roe V. Wade case does not mean that Christians can morally, ethically, or biblically support abortion. The Bible makes clear that God is the author of life (Gen. 2, Psa. 139:13, and Jer. 1:5). Since God is the author or life, life should be defended from conception (when life begins) to natural death. Any attempt to unjustly take a human is morally, ethically, and biblically wrong. For this reason, even though the law says it’s legal to kill an unborn child that is not a law Christians will defend, condone, or support; because it violates biblical truth.

Therein lies the problem for many. Critics say Christians are bringing their religion into civil law and have no business doing so. But what they miss, what they can’t see or simply don’t understand is that Christians are bound to the higher truth of God’s Word. This is not about bringing law into civil government, this is about the ability to live according to our religious convictions in every aspect of our life. This includes both private and public life.

Matt Barber, writing at The Blaze, makes this point abundantly clear:

“Let’s see if we can make this abundantly clear. Christians, true Christians – regenerate, Bible-believing Christians who strive their level best to maintain fidelity to the word of God and honor His commands – will not, indeed cannot, participate in, approve of, facilitate or encourage certain behaviors deemed by the Holy Scriptures to be immoral or sinful. This is both our constitutionally-affirmed human right and our Christian duty. It is not done from hate. It is not done from bigotry. It is done neither from a position of superiority nor a desire to ‘impose our beliefs’ upon others. It is done from both obedience to Christ and compassion for our fellow fallen who yet wallow in folly.”

There it is. Christians simply desire the ability to live life according to our deeply held religious convictions without the fear of reprisal from the government. That seems like a reasonable, American, request. And our government seems all too willing to help others – Muslims for example – live according to their religious beliefs. This is strange considering Muslims believe homosexuality is a sin punishable by death and Christians simply want the ability to disagree.

But, and Barber points this out, in order for those seeking to radically alter the landscape of America to succeed, they must silence the Christian majority. As long as Christians are able to freely share their views and beliefs in the public sector the liberal agenda will never be fully accomplished.

So, under the banner of tolerance and non-discrimination, Christians are being threatened and intimidated into silence. We can see this from the stories of the photographer in New Mexico, the baker in Colorado, and the farmer’s in New York. If Christians intend to stand upon their religious convictions, says the government, we will sue them out of existence.

While the left and liberal activists try to accuse Christians of hate the reality is that our lives are based on love. Because we love our Savior, Jesus Christ, we submit our lives to Him and the authority of His Word. For this reason we cannot, will not, submit to or obey any law that violates the truth of God’s Word. The result? I agree with Barber that civil disobedience on the part of Christians is just beginning. If the government continues to attempt forced acceptance of what the Bible calls sin, Christians will refuse to comply – whatever the costs may be. Why? Barber answers:

“We have seen and will continue to see an exponential increase in Christian business owners refusing to violate God’s commands by complying with unconstitutional, immoral and unjust government dictates. For 2,000 years, whenever such conflicts have arisen, Christians have placed the laws of God above the laws of man. What makes you think we’re about to change now?”