Church of God, New World Ministries

Open Letter To A Student Demonstrator

Here is the full text of a letter received from a young demonstrator – an admitted “defiant” of established authority. Read his candid letter, and the complete answers to his arguments from your own Bible.

For years we have heard the argument of hippies, demonstrators, draft-card burners and dropouts, that they are mimicking such famous world personages as Mahatma Gandhi, Buddha, George Washington, or Jesus Christ.

Most adults in the “establishment” hear these arguments with pained amusement and dismiss the antics of the youthful generation as something that will “go away” in time. But today, fully 40% of the population of the United States is under 21 years of age.

This vast chunk of the nation has new ideas, new goals and purposes, new “standards” of conduct. In millions of them the “spock marks” are showing; the results of a permissive age of the baby doctors, child psychologists, and “new moralists” who have instilled an almost religious dedication to rebellion in the youth of the nation.

Today’s youthful generation has been encouraged to “think for itself,” to question, to evaluate established traditions, and to find their own new standards of conduct.

Gone are the college boys of yesteryear with the coon-skin coats and ukuleles, their Stutz Bear Cats, and goldfish swallowing. Enter the student draft-card burner. Enter the militantly antimilitary; the peace-loving cop-hater; the enraged demonstrating, sometimes violent advocate of non-violence.

Never, in the history of mankind, has a whole society found itself oppressed to such extreme by its youth. Youthful pranks have given way before serious and often brutal crimes. Two   police surveys have given, first ages 12, and then ages 16-19, for serious crimes, including murder, rape, auto theft, burglary, armed robbery and the like.

Never before have we witnessed our major universities rocked by violence, the traditional tranquility of study and research shattered by enraged anarchists staging sit-ins, and literal occupation of administrative offices, defying the police, the university officials, and all of society in so doing. Even as we write, students and teachers all over the country are planning to walk out of their schools in protest of gun laws.

Who are these loud, insistent, rebellious youths? Why do they fly into enrage disorder and chaos to air their “grievances”? What are their standards? What do they want? What is their goal?

They are the product of an age. Products of permissive homes, and a permissive society. They’re the victims, actually, of a satanic deception that has come to pervade the entirely of the educational system in the English-speaking world.

That great deception is the assumed theory of evolution; that there is no God. That is, there is no ultimate authority. There is no great Lawgiver, no great Creator and Ruler in the heavens who made all forces, laws and energy, and who made mankind, and put him on this earth for a purpose.

This, they assume. They do not prove evolution – it can’t be proved but they accept it on faith.

Once that false faith is assumed, it’s an easy step to the second major false step. Today, much of education is based on the teaching by the “new moralists” of “situation ethics.” No deed, action, or thought is good or bad in itself, they insist – but must be decided by the individual, based on individual circumstances whether it is “good” or “bad” for him!

But the justification for riot can take many bizarre forms. Most use the “situation ethics” excuse; or the “new morality” learned from their atheistic professors. But many of them are heard to cite Jesus Christ as their examples!

Many hippies claim Christ as their first “hippie” in history.

The Church received a letter (This letter was written to Garner Ted Armstrong while he was still doing the World Tomorrow Programs several years ago) from a young student demonstrator. His letter speaks for itself. Since it is very typical of similar arguments being heard on many campuses today. Here is the full text of his letter, just as he wrote it:

Dear Mr. Armstrong:

I have just listened to your lecture of April 20 at 7:00 p.m. In that lecture you attacked college students who demonstrate and practice civil disobedience. You seemed particularly disturbed by students who disobey laws, “made by the majority” and then holler police brutality. You were referring, I think, to incidents of Hollywood Sunset Strip with which I am not familiar. But I am familiar with my personal situation, and I wish to comment on that.

After accusing the students of disobeying laws and then hollering police brutality, you said that the students learned this “garbage” from their college professors. Now, let’s look at “The plain truth.” I am one of the students who sits in, demonstrates, defies the established authority, and disobeys the law. But I disobey only when the law does not deserve obedience or when the civil laws is contrary to my moral principles.

Now here is the plain truth you may not be able to handle. I did not learn this behavior from any college professors. I learned it from Jesus Christ. Let me repeat it – from Jesus Christ himself. Jesus and his disciples ate corn on the Sabbaths. Jesus healed several men on the Sabbath. Both illegal acts. Jesus insulted the High Priest (John 18:21-22). Jesus called the Pharisees, (the equivalent of college professors, clergymen, and radio preachers?) – he called the Pharisees hypocrites, blind guides, fools, serpents and a generation of vipers. Blasphemy! Jesus refused to swear allegiance to the Roman government. Treason! He talked about the Kingdom of God, about the world tomorrow. The laws, the mores, the morals, the system, the vote of the majority of this world meant very little to Jesus because he belonged to a different, a better world, the Kingdom of God. And his life was dedicated to bringing this Kingdom to mankind. Even if it means defiance and disobedience of the existing laws and morals.

I am a Christian, and this is what I have learned from Jesus. I did not learn it from my college professors as you accuse. I have been a Christian most of my adult life. I learned my civil disobedience from Jesus.

“Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.” This is why I march in demonstrations denouncing the war in Vietnam.

“Thou shalt not kill. But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” This is why I refuse to hate Negroes, Communists, North Vietnamese, or non-Christians.

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you.” This is why I sympathize with the North Vietnamese and support illegal shipments of medical supplies by the Friends to North Vietnam.

“When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do.” This is why I belong to no organized religion and practice my Christianity by marching rather than by praying.

“Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.” This is why I think the hippies, the drop-outs, the anti-system students are right.

“Insomuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me.” This is why I push for open housing, equal employment, justice in the courts, fairness in voting eligibility.

Now these are only a few of the principles I have learned from Jesus. And I intend to implement these principles in the political, social, and economic life of this country. And if the civil laws interfere with these principles I have learned from Jesus, I will disobey the civil law and remain true to Jesus.

But I’m in good company if I do that, am I not? When Peter and John healed the lame man, and preached Jesus, they were arrested. The authorities warned them and released them. But Peter and John ignored the warning. They continued to heal and preach. They were again arrested and this time put in the common prison. When Peter and John were finally brought before the council and the High Priest, and were warned again; Peter and John said, “We ought to obey God rather than man. “The laws” were irrelevant to them; they obeyed God. I will continue to obey the principles of Jesus Christ rather than the laws of man.

Notice, this student admits he sits in, demonstrates, defies the established authority, and “disobeys the law!” But then he says he disobeys “only when the law does not deserve obedience. Or when contrary to my moral principles”

But what is a “sit-in”?

“Sitting in” – is the occupation of public or private property by persons who openly disrespect the personal rights of others. It involves the virtual invasion and occupation of public restaurants, housing facilitates, transportation facilities; of university classrooms, dormitories, administrative buildings, or any other such area.

As such, it constitutes an invasion of privacy to the owners and operators of any service; the defying of occupancy laws, closing times, curfews, or any other regulation in college and university buildings.

“Sitting in” has become an almost casually taken-for-granted term in our lawless, defiant society. But rest assured, if this young student were to find some opposing group “sitting in” his dormitory, or a classroom he wished to attend, his attitude toward “sitting in” may not prove to be quite so liberal.

Notice, too, this young man stated he “disobeys,” but only when the law is contrary to his own personal moral principles. This is nothing short of personal anarchy!

It is the setting up of oneself as the judge, the legislator, and a “majority of one” to arbitrarily decide which law is “right” and which law is “wrong” and thus elevated oneself above the law. This is becoming a law unto yourself! Still, it’s the precise reasoning, whether based on fanciful notions about Christianity or the blind faith in evolution and the “no absolutes” and situation ethics of a modern God-rejecting world.

To be just a little “far out” (after all this student seems to approve of such a stand), let’s imagine a weird example of such anarchical actions. Suppose this young student reasons, through some incredibly illogical process, that the law against murder is a law that is contrary to his own personal moral principles! Granted, a seemingly insane and illogical reasoning. But what if?

What if shoplifting? What if cheating in class? Or, perhaps to take a seemingly smaller crime, what about “sitting in” and disobedience to other civil laws?

There was once a well-heeled old fellow who approached a pretty young girl with the proposal they spend a weekend together in Honolulu. He asked if she would accompany him, if it meant one million dollars.

One million dollars! She exclaimed, you bet I would! Well, said the calculating old sinner, what about for ten thousand dollars? Well came the answer, hesitantly, I suppose so.

Well then, he continued, would you accompany me there for the weekend for one thousand dollars? At this she snapped out, well, what do you take me for, anyway?

Madam, came the cool response, we have already established what you are, we’re now haggling over the price!

In exactly the same fashion, the young man who wrote the letter is an admitted lawbreaker, and defiant of civil authority, but it just “depends” on which laws happen to conform to his personal moral principles.

Next, as you read, the student said Jesus’ plucking of the corn, and healing on the Sabbath were illegal acts!

Wrong again! There were laws which enforced upon the landowner that he leaves some produce on the stalk or the vine for the hungry sojourner (as Christ was) (see Lev. 19:9-10 and Lev. 23:22) – this was part of the constituted, God-given laws which were stringently enforced, even by the Pharisees.

But the Pharisees had added to the original God-given laws, many petty, minor “do’s” and do nots” which were not the will of the majority; which were not “constituted” by any civil government; but which were religious traditions – in the same domain as many such religious traditions (such as the wearing of hats and veils in churches, etc.) in “modern” churches today!

“Healing” was not even remotely “illegal”! This was a twisted and perverted reasoning of the carnal-minded minority religious leaders who sought to accuse Christ falsely; when Jesus Christ was the most law-abiding example to ever walk this earth! Healing was a divine miracle from God! By perverting the truth about healing, and making it appear as if it involved some “human work” or labors, this narrow-minded religious minority attempted to accuse Christ.

Notice an outstanding account, in Mark 3:1-6.

Jesus was in a local synagogue, confronted by a man with a horribly deformed hand. The Pharisees “watched Him, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath Day; that they might accuse Him” (v. 2). Notice – they were not enforcing or interpreting duly constituted law; but were “watching,” suspiciously, to see whether they could find an excuse to accuse.

After the healing, Jesus asked them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill”? Jesus knew that it was lawful. He knew their own laws, including their religious traditions, allowed it. On another occasion, He had proved this, by citing the law of scripture that even a helpless animal would be pulled out of a ditch! Nothing unlawful here!

They, too, knew it was lawful! That’s why they “held their peace,” and then went out and plotted His murder!

Again, the zealous student has mistakenly misapplied a scripture, or neglected to really read and study the true meaning!

Next, it was claimed Jesus “insulted” the High Priest! No such thing. The High Priest was a living insult. He was an insult to God, an insult to Christ, and an insult to the very office he occupied!

Turn to, and read, with your own eyes, the scripture this student quoted! Can you see, by the wildest stretch in your imagination, any insult in what Jesus did?

Jesus said, “Why askest me? Ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, answerest thou the high priest so?”

Jesus then said, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well (which He had spoken), why smitest thou me” (John 18:21-23)?

Notice! Not one word from the High Priest! He, himself did not answer Jesus’ truthful statement. His very question was in itself hypocritical.

Jesus gave a straight, truthful answer. There was no insult in it whatever. A pompous officer then struck Jesus. This was an insult. It was also illegal. Jesus’ reaction? Calm, studious, patient truth. He merely said, “If I have told the truth, then why do you strike me?”

It seems our student demonstrator didn’t really read or understand these passages.

Next the writer of the letter attempts to heap all college professors, clergymen, and radio preachers into one lump with the Pharisees. But generalizations in sarcasm are never very safe, and not very constructive.

He then said, “Blasphemy!” Referring to Mathew 23, where Jesus called the Publicans, Lawyers and Pharisees hypocrites! But what a twist of words!

Let’s understand! Blasphemy is a sin against God! It is taking something of God, something Holy, and something Righteous, and attaching to it some sinful, mundane, earthly, man-polluted meaning. To blaspheme is to speak profanely, or lightly, or in useless repetition, the name of God. It is to attribute a work of God as if being the work of man, or the Devil.

But “calling a spade a spade” in sincerity and truth – in fulfilling the very commission of “Cry aloud, spare not, shew my people their sins” is certainly not blasphemy!

And, for the young student’s correction: the most immediately obvious error in his illogical reasoning is in claiming Christ as his example and his model, and then accusing Him of blasphemy! That could approach blasphemy, alright – but Jesus Christ assuredly never did!

Next, the student cites a supposed treasonous act of Jesus. He said, “Jesus refused to swear allegiance to the Roman government. Treason!” But if the student had read his Bible, he would have known Jesus would have refused to swear to anything (Matt. 5:34)!

Next, he would have known Jesus was a citizen of another Kingdom (John 18:36), and therefore would not have “sworn” allegiance to any foreign government – lest He lose His citizenship!

If this student were a Christian, he would understand that the Christian is already a citizen of, and owes allegiance to, the Kingdom of God! He would see that the Bible is just like a passport, which contains a section warning the bearer against taking an oath of allegiance to, or serving in the armed forces of, any foreign government or kingdom.

He would have known, then, that Jesus did preach submission to the Roman kingdom, that He showed its officers and representatives every respect, and that he would have meekly and humbly accepted any penalty they may have wished to impose if His obedience to the higher “Laws of God (not His own “personal” moral principles) was in direct conflict to the laws of the Roman empire.

He did not understand any of this, so assumed it was demanded of Jews of that day to “swear allegiance” to a foreign, occupying power. No such thing! This was not a requirement, of any Judaean – although they had to acknowledge that the Caesar was their ruler.

No, Jesus was never guilty of any treason! He set the example of being an obedient taxpayer to the Roman government, Matthew 22:17-22, was courteous to the point of healing a Roman officer’s servant, Matthew 8:5-10; and in no case ever committed any act which would have been construed as “treasonous!”

Next, the student accuses Christ of defiance. But there wasn’t an iota of defiance in Christ! He never defied existing laws and “morals.” Name one “moral,” Christ ever defied”!

Were the rigorous additions to the Law of Moses, which were man-made traditions “moral”? Hardly. And this is not decided by a carnal human who merely “reasons” it around one way or the other – but decided by the great God, who is the Supreme Authority, and by His Son- Jesus Christ, who is the coming Ruler of this universe.

The attitude of Christ was always one of obedience to law. To God! When and if His actions disturbed the rigorous, self-righteous man-made traditions of “the elders” Jesus gave a compassionate object lesson to those around Him. But He was never defiant about it!

He was always kind. Patient. Loving, forgiving and understanding. He sincerely regretted the violent reactions these murder-plotting would-be criminals expedited at His experience.  He prayed for them, and even as He was dying on the stake, asked, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”!

Defiance? Never in His entire lifetime was there any defiance in Jesus Christ! To take His marvelous example of humility, and of love, and obedience, and try to twist it into an example of treason, blasphemy, defiance and disobedience is a complete perversion of the life and meaning of Christ!

Next, the student claims to be a Christian!  But what is a Christian? It is one who had been converted (Acts 2:38; 3:19), and has received the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:9), and who is allowing Jesus Christ to live in him (Gal. 2:20) by following the perfect example of Christ (I Peter 2:21), and who will always obey man’s laws (Rom. 13:1-2) except where such obedience may conflict with the higher laws of God (Acts 5:29). A Christian is one who is totally disconnected with the movements, demonstrations, riots, and politics of this world (John 17:16; I John 2:15; Rom. 12:12; Rev. 18:4; James 4:4).

First, foremost, and of prime importance, a Christian is one who is led by the Spirit of God! The Spirit and Mind of God guides the true Christian – leads and directs him. The Spirit of God is a law-abiding Spirit (Rom. 5:5) of love – which, in itself is a spirit of fulfilling the Law (I John 5:3).

No, the student did not learn any “civil disobedience” from Jesus Christ – but learned it from others who supposed they had learned it from Christ!

Then came the student’s reference to the famous “beatitudes” of Matthew the 5th chapter.

First, he cited the “peacemakers” verse, and said, “This is why I march in demonstrations denouncing the war in Vietnam.

But Jesus never marched in any “demonstrations” of any kind. Further, during His ministry, there were many areas of the world being constantly kept under the Roman heel by force of arms. Jesus was living in an occupied country – yet He never “demonstrated,” never “sat-in,” neve said a word about the political and military concerns of the Roman Empire; was courteous to Roman officers – even enjoined upon His followers that “whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” All historians and Bible commentators agree this was prompted primarily because of the habit of Roman government mail carriers (soldiers probably) to require Jewish citizens to carry their mail sacks to arbitrarily enforce labor upon private citizens.

Did Christ demonstrate against this type of military brutality, or denial of civil rights? No! He gave the example of giving double that which was in a sense, illegally required!

Next, the student demonstrator cited the “Thou shalt not kill” passage of Matthew 5:21-26. he said this is why he refused to “hate Negroes, Communists, North Vietnamese, or non-Christians.” But does he also refuse to hate the “establishment,” his college officials, the Police, the South Vietnamese and American military men, and maybe even “radio preachers”? One would hope so.

Still, the student makes one wonder. He said, after quoting the passage about “love your enemies “that he sympathizes with the North Vietnamese (so do we, and so would all Christians but we also sympathize with our soldiers and marines there, and the South Vietnamese people -and my sympathies are not sufficient in either direction to make me break the law, or to volunteer to kill), and support illegal shipments of medical supplies by the “Friends” to  our enemies.

Well, then, it would appear from this the enemies he singles out for his “love” are the North Vietnamese. But are not the “establishment” and his university officials, and the police, also his enemies. Very obviously so.

Then why not support, love, refuse to hate these domestic enemies with equal fervor?

Then came the “When you pray” quotation, and his statement “This is why I practice my Christianity by marching rather than by praying! “But Jesus didn’t say to substitute some other action for prayer! He didn’t say, “If you pray,” but “When” you pray! Christ set the example of fervent prayer to a real God, and expecting dynamic, often times immediate, answers! Paul said men ought to pray – and particularly commanded Christians to pray for those in authority (I Tim. 2:1-2)!

This young professing Christian admits he does not pray – and, from his attitude would certainly not be praying, if he were to pray, for those in authority, but rather against them – and says he marches rather than prays.

But Christ prayed, and set, in the very example the student quoted, the example of how to pray!

Next, the student quoted Christ’s statement concerning food, drink, and clothing, found in Matthew 6:25-34. But apparently the student neither read the passage, nor understood its plain meaning.

Jesus is oftentimes accused of being a “hippie” of His day. Nothing could be further from the truth! Read this whole passage with your own eyes and learn the truth!

Notice it! After showing the beauty and glory of God’s Creation; of the delicacy and purity of the lily, Jesus said, “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, o ye of little faith?”

After describing the incredible beauty of the lily, Jesus says His faithful followers would be much more clothed – much better clothed!

Adding together food, drink and clothing, Jesus said, “(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your Heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things (adequate food, drink, and the right kind of neat, clean, modest clothing) shall be added unto you”!

Many, many professing Christians have assumed it is “Godly” to be poor – or to be dirty! But God is a multibillionaire Heavenly Father; a God who dwells in the midst of such magnificent splendor it would literally blind human eyes.

Christ wore a seamless, top-quality garment of such workmanship and price that it became the object of gambling among the soldiers at His death!

The Bible stresses cleanliness, neatness, quality in all phases of life – and it also says it is a “shame (vile thing) for a man to have long hair” (I Cor. 11:14). So once again, we see a scripture taken out of context, and twisted to attempt to make it mean the exact opposite of what it truly says!

Paul commanded we render “custom to whom custom; honor to whom honor” is due (Rom. 13:7)!

No – there is no place for justifying ill-kempt, slipshod, indifferent dress, or shaggy stringy hair, or dirty, unclean beards, or bare feet in the pages of the Bible!

The final quote taken out of context – where the student quoted “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren (sic) ye have done it unto me.” This is why I push for open housing, equal employment, justice in the courts, fairness in voting eligibility.”

All of these are, on the surface, laudatory goals. Whether “pushing” for them is in the province of a Christian is another question, entirely. And further, the methods such students use in “pushing” for such goals are oftentimes violently illegal!

Each adjective used is often open for question; such as “open” housing, “equal” employment, “justice in the courts”, and “fairness” in voting eligibility.

This student’s ideas about justice, and those of the established authority are obviously different. So, the question arises: “Whose justice?” What does this individual student consider equal? What is “fair,” in his personal view? After all, he has openly shown it is always his own personal “moral convictions” that motivate him.

But again, Jesus said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least.” But done what? Turn to the Bible example and see.

This is taken from Matthew the 25th chapter, in the example of the whole meaning of a Christian life; showing those who will qualify to enter into God’s soon-coming world-ruling government, and those who will not!

Christ cites of mercy, of compassion, and of tenderness toward the sick and infirm; toward those in prison (and the Biblical emphasis is on prisoners who are God’s people, and falsely jailed because of religious persecution, more than making a fetish out of visiting criminals), toward those who are impoverished, and those who are “strangers,” meaning homeless, immigrants, or destitute.

But what has the compassionate act of one person feeding, clothing, helping another person to do with demonstrating against a government? The final arguments are similar.

He cited how Peter and John continued to preach after being arrested. Yes, they were “arrested,” but by whom?

Here is a direct opposite to all the student’s arguments. Peter and John were being used as instruments in God’s hand to heal crippled and diseased people – is this student?

They had been directly commanded to preach the Gospel (Matt. 28:18-20). This command, to preach the Gospel came directly from Jesus Christ!

Then, after their arrest, they were commanded not to preach. This command – having nothing to do with any social, political, or economic problems of that immediate generation, or that immediate government – came from a powerful minority religious sect, the Pharisees.

They were accosted in the Temple and placed “in hold” (in a “ward “as the Greek implies), until the next day. They were then asked what their preaching was about. Read their answer in Acts 4:1-12.

Next, the plotting Pharisees agreed among themselves the miracle was true – and they could not deny it; and, further, that they would threaten the apostles.

Notice! “What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them” (Acts 4:156-17).

This was no “court order.” This was not a police action. This was not “constituted authority” whatever! They had broken no law! Not even the law of the Pharisees, themselves!

Notice further! “So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them because of the people” (v. 21)! No, the Apostles had broken no law. They had broken no law or rule, either of the civil authority, or of the Pharisaical traditions! They were jealous, self-important minority leaders of a sect! They were guilty of taking the law into their own hands, like a group of vigilantes!

They were the ones who defied the law! They were the ones who broke constituted rules and defied even their own teachings. But the Apostles did none of these things!

The writer then closes by saying he will “continue” to obey the principles of Jesus. Perhaps “continue” was a poor choice of words, however sincere this young man may be in his personal convictions.

But assuming his utter sincerity – I will ask, “Will you then obey these principles of Jesus – exactly as they are?” Hear they are!

“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. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation” (Rom. 13:1-2)!

“If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men”! (Read Romans, chapter 12:18).

“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God” (I Peter 2:13-16). Remember, these commands were originally written to peoples under the Roman Empire!

If God requires such obedience of His servants under those conditions – then how much more the quiet, prayerful obedience in a free society of due process? How much more would a Christian be expected to remain patient, and quietly obedient in a nation of majority rule; and of due process?

Of course, there are laws which conflict with the higher laws of God. But no individual is big enough to decide for himself which laws those are! This must be revealed from God! And, if a true Christian finds conflict between the civil authority and the higher authority of God, he must be prepared to quietly, meekly suffer the consequences for his acceptance of God’s law, rather than man’s – and accept whatever penalties the civil authority may impose.

Notice again!

“For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently” (I Peter 2:19-20)?

First, student rioters, demonstrators, occupiers of public buildings, and “sit-in” participants are being “buffeted” for their own faults, not any principle of Christ!

Secondly, they take it anything but patiently!

To break a law – and then defy the police, and then demonstrate to demand the officials themselves break the law by freeing lawbreakers – has no place in the Sacred Scriptures of God!

It is a travesty – however well-intentioned and sincere, to attempt to justify rebellion, hostility, demonstrations, illegal acts, sit-ins, and all such activities, by using the examples of Jesus Christ.

 
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