161. What laws should we obey?

God’s people obey those in authority unless they are being made to do evil. The prophet John gives us insight into the work of evil and good in nations and leadership in Revelation 11 v 15. ‘The whole world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever. The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him.’ And they said, ‘We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.’ This is a reference to people who disobeyed authorities and brought havoc to the earth.

Paul instructed Timothy to ‘pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity (1 Tim 2 verse 2).’ From the wisdom of King Solomon we learn, “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked are in power, they groan” (Proverbs 29 verse 2).

To the Muslim the highest laws are those contained within the Shariah Law. A Muslim is pleasing Allâh if he advocates for the introduction of Shariah (Islâmic) Law in the land. Refer to question 82 and 83 for a more comprehensive answer.