Suffering for Evil

Not too long ago we received several e-mails requesting that we voice our outrage at the prosecution of Homeschoolers in Germany. Homeschooling is illegal in Germany, and apparently several families were being prosecuted for doing it. We did not send any outraged e-mails. Frankly, we were not outraged. In Romans, I believe, it says that if we break the law we should be afraid, for it is the civil authority's job to keep the law and punish evildoers. And as there is no biblical command broken by not homeschooling, as a general rule there is no excuse for those homeschooling in Germany or other countries where it might be illegal. Let me clarify by saying that homeschooling is a freedom we have here that I would not part with without a fight, and I may be sorely tempted disobey laws against it, if it came to that. But the point is one is not a martyr when they are punished for doing wrong. Only when man's laws contradict the laws of God is there a reason to disobey the authorities God has put in place.