When should a Christian disobey the law?

When should a Christian disobey the law?

Since the laws of the United States were originally based on a Judeo-Christian world view, Christians in our country have not had to deal with a great deal of conflict between law and morality. The notable exception to that moral/legal harmony was during the legality of slavery early in this nation's history. It is worth noting that the resolution of that conflict between morality and legality bathed this continent in blood. It is entirely possible that we are headed toward another monumental national moral conflict as competing worldviews collide. 

It is reasonable to assume that as our laws drift from their Judeo-Christian origins we will, with increasing frequency, be forced to choose between that which is legal and that which is right.

Just to be clear, a Christian's obligation to do the right thing is greater than his or her obligation to obey any particular law.

So here is the thing: If a law is morally right or morally neutral (i.e. traffic laws) we are morally obliged to follow those laws, but when obedience to a law of government forces a Christian to wilfully violate God's moral law, he or she is obliged to do that which is right in the sight of God at the expense of that which is legal in the sight of men.

So, what are we to do? 

1. We must know God's Word. If you don't study it, you won't know it, and you will be easily deceived. 
2. Pray for wisdom. We must keep our consciences tender before God, allowing his Spirit to lead us in all things in accordance with his Word. 
3. We need to be able to tell the difference between our own preferences/traditions and the moral declarations of God. We can sacrifice our preferences and traditions and remain righteous before God, but we must not sacrifice that which we know to be morally right. 
4. We must realize that we have a mandate from Jesus to speak his truth. We must also continue to participate, as long as possible, in the governmental process. In a constitutional republic such as ours, "citizen" is just as much an office as "Senator". We have a responsibility to individually and collectively be heard, even if self-imposed silence would be easier. 
5. We must expect that there will be consequences from government for defying its immoral laws, and those consequences will be extremely uncomfortable and stressful. 
6. We can expect to be betrayed and vilified by those we once considered friends and fellow believers. We will be shocked and saddened to see those we once viewed as stalwart believers abandon the faith for the sake of expediency. 
7. We must remember that Jesus has promised to never leave us or forsake us despite whatever our obedience to him may cost us. This life is temporary. Truth is eternal. 

And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. - Luke 9:23-26 ESV