The Christian Response to a Hostile Government

I was recently asked: “If the government ever comes to our home for our guns, do we fight back until they take us out? Or do we just give up the guns? I’m worried they will eventually take us away and enslave us or kill us for not complying with their new standards… and we wouldn’t be able to defend ourselves without our guns.”

There is a lot of talk amongst conservative commentators about being censored and losing the right to free speech that is guaranteed in the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. I thank God that I am an American citizen. But first, and foremost, I am a Christian and a citizen of heaven.  As a Christian, I’m under another “constitution”—the Bible. The Bible never guarantees me freedom of religion or freedom of speech. Many Christians have suffered at the hands of hostile earthly governments for publically preaching Jesus Christ (just read Fox’s Book of Martyrs for numerous examples).

God is the God of authority. He instituted human government. He puts up kings and puts down kings (1 Samuel 2:7-8; Proverbs 8:15-16; Daniel 2:21; 4:17-18). Paul wrote, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be ARE ORDAINED OF GOD [even bad ones]. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God…” (Romans 13:1-2).

When the government commanded the apostles not to mention Jesus’ name, the apostles answered, “whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). Then the apostles went out and preached the Word of God with boldness. They were arrested again and asked, “Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine… Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:28-29).

So, what if the U.S. government forbids Christians to preach the Gospel? Answer: “We ought to obey God rather than men,” and trust God.

Regarding the possession of guns: First, I want to say I am a Life Time member of the NRA. I believe in the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, my faith is not in the U.S. Constitution, but in Word of God and in the God of the Word.

If you carefully study Matthew 26:47-52; Luke 22:47-51; John 18:1-12 you will see Jesus offered no resistance when His enemies arrested Him. He told Peter to put up his sword. Paul submitted to Roman government (even when the Roman Emperor was Nero (see also 1 Peter 2:13-21). He was eventually beheaded by the government, but he offered no resistance (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

I do not see anything in the New Testament that suggests we should fight against our government (as bad as it is). If the government commands me to do something against God, I will obey God (Acts 5:29). If the government tells me not to preach Jesus, I will preach Jesus any way (Acts 4:18-21).  If they arrest me for being a Christian, I will pray and trust God for what He seems best.

The government can do nothing against me unless God allows it (John 18:36; 19:10-11).