To Obey or Not to Obey: Who is King?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/june/no-evangelizing-outside-of-church-russia-proposes.html

"Russia's Newest Law: No Evangelizing Outside of the Church"

I forget sometimes what a blessing it is to blog for all three of my readers, to speak of God's goodness, to ask hard questions, and still to walk freely and without fear. What I sometimes force myself to do is what laws in other places demand Christians never do: speak truth.

I do not generally take to disparaging religions in this blog. I believe there will be men of every tribe, tongue, nation, culture, and religious affiliation in heaven. The opposite is also, sadly, very much true. God has very little interest in our religion, and much more interest in whether we receive the grace of the cross and the power of the resurrection, forgiveness of sins and faith in His Name.

That being said, originally coming from Utah, I had several Mormon friends post the following official response from the LDS church to the new legislation in Russia. From http://www.ldsliving.com/Church-Responds-to-Russia-s-Law-Banning-Missionary-Work/s/82606:

"The church will honor, sustain and obey the law. Missionaries will remain in Russia and will work within the requirements of these changes."

Why do Mormons have to obey the law? Because mostly they live by law and not by grace. Because they answer to men; to bishops, presidents, or prophets first, and not to the living, radical, sovereign God.

Any work we believe we can do to earn salvation nullifies grace. If we could attain any amount of God's favor in our own effort, then Christ died for nothing. If anyone can stand between you and your God as mediator other than the sinless priest, Jesus Christ, then you are still in your sins.

Those who have the words of life will not be silenced by any human requirement. Christians ought to live with honor and respect for all, even when faith necessitates rebellion. Evangelism is necessary. And now, evangelism is rebellion.

The issue of obedience to human authority is not a simple matter in the believer's life. We are urged to be subject and to obey. 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 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."

We willingly submit to human authority because we know ultimately we are under God's authority. However, when human power requires sin of the believer, we submit first to Jesus Christ as King. Christians are called to share their faith, to make disciples, to be light in a dark world. When human authority demands we stop living in obedience to Christ's calling, then we rebel.

Who is your king? Do you obey men, live in a safe world, stay silent for fear? Or do you worship an almighty God, the ultimate judge, the Savior who has required us to go and make disciples.

Christians should ever display this great paradox: honor and rebellion.

Let us pray for the believers in Russia. Persecution is coming. But God has already overcome.
Let us pray for the unbelievers in Russia. May God's grace be declared from the hills all the louder when voices are ordered to be silent.