Marlon Brando in the movie, "The Wild One", when asked what he was rebelling against responded, "What've you got?" That was pretty shocking for movie audiences in 1953. Young people probably gathered at the local ice cream parlour and tried to do their best Brando in saying it. In 2007 a quote like that in a movie might cause a few laughs but would soon be forgotten because of all the other much more shocking and even toxic comments in the rest of the movie. Since the beginning of time there has been rebellion against Authority. Satan is the first one we know to do so. He rebelled against God and was thrown out of heaven and has been causing problems ever since. Unfortunately the human race has followed him in rebellion. Today rebellion is even seen as a good thing. Children are encouraged for protest for their rights, to march in demonstrations and let their voice be heard. Living in a democratic free society we are allowed to do such things, and there may be proper times to do just that. The question is have we gone too far? Has the freedom to demand our rights and question authority gone to the point of breaking the Fourth Commandment?
The Fourth Commandment says, "Honor your father and your mother." Looking at other parts of Scripture we realize that this commandment extends beyond the authority of our parents and also includes all authorities that we live under. The list would include things such as our government, our boss at work, pastors and other leaders in the church, and anyone who is a position of authority over us. We also include senior citizens in this, because Scripture tells us to show respect for the aged. This Commandment also contains a promise from Ephesians 6:3, "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
We all have problems with authority figures at times. Sometimes we look upon them as incompetent, and they may be. Sometimes we may look upon them as mean and demanding, and again they may be. There is also a sinful urge in us to knock the other person off the top of the hill. What I mean by that is that there is a sinful urge within us to challenge authority for no other reason than to challenge it, we like to rebel, to show the person in authority up, or maybe even take their place.
What we see in this Commandment though is that God has put certain people in positions of authority. He has made your parents your parents. He has put certain people in office, no matter what earthly means might have put them there. Some countries elect their leaders, others take over by force. Sometimes we do not understand why a certain person is in authority, but we must trust that God put them there for a reason. We also called to obey them even if we don't like them. You may not like paying your taxes, but God tells you to do so. You may not like doing what your parents tell you to do, but God requires that you do it. You may not like what your boss is demanding, but you better do it.
Now there is recourse to remove leaders. We can choose to vote for someone else in an election. We can bring a leader's demands to someone else who can address them in a proper way. What we cannot do is openly rebel against them. We can make our voice and concerns heard though, we can work through whatever process that is available and we can use the legal system that is in place.
There are circumstances though when we can disobey those in authority, in fact there are circumstances when we are required to disobey or even rebel against those in authority. That is when they require us to do something that is against God's law. For instance if the government requires us to kill innocent people we have an obligation to disobey. Another situation might be if the government says that we can't share our faith with others or gather for worship, we have an obligation to disobey. Interestingly enough there is now a bill before congress that might require us to disobey our government. The bill will make saying anything against homosexuality a hate crime, even if it said in church. Pastors that get up in the pulpit and say that homosexuality is a sin could be fined or thrown in jail for doing so. We will have an obligation to disobey that law if it is passed, even if it means going to jail. I will tell you now if that bill is passed my sermon the next Sunday will be on the sinfulness of the homosexual lifestyle.
I would throw up a caution here though. When we say we have a right to disobey the government when they require us to do something against God's law we better be able to prove that it is against God's law. It can't be just a personal opinion. It has to be proven by Scripture. For instance many people who are protesting the current war have said it is against God's will, but that cannot be proven from Scripture. A few in the military have refused to go to Iraq because they say the war is wrong and it is against their conscience. Scripture does not back up their protest. If they are in the military they have to go if their commanders tell them. By the way the LCMS provides no provision for consciences objectors. If you are a member of our church body you cannot claim that status based upon your faith. The simple solution is this, if you don't want to go to war, don't join the military.
This Commandment is the only one with a promise. It is that you will enjoy a long life on earth. If you listen to your parents you will gain wisdom and learn how to survive in this world. If you obey the authorities over you, you will prosper and not have constant strife.
Here are some verses. Proverbs 23:22; Romans 13:2; Ephesians 6:2-3; 1 Timothy 5:4; Romans 13:7; Colossians 3:20; Titus 3:1; Acts 5:29; Leviticus 19:32
Pastor Fred
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