It’s often said that Mr. Trump doesn’t do U turns. I would question this. His tweets and public statements are about as variable (and stormy) as the Atlantic weather. There’s always one constant though: his concern for his right wing (and sadly all too uncritical white evangelical Christian) base. All of which explains his change of mind on the now infamous zero tolerance policy towards the children of illegal immigrants.

Now I am not throwing stones. As others, including a Trump supporter, have pointed out, we do not have a healthy track record as a nation either, and the challenges associated with uncontrolled immigration are not limited to our American cousins. We see this reflected in the UK’s decision to vote for Brexit as well as in the current stance of the Italian and Hungarian governments and the tesnsions within Mrs Merkle’s coalition government. These are demanding issues, and those responsible for the creation of government policy need our prayers.

But that does not mean they deserve our unquestioning support. US Attorney-General Jeff Sessions seemed to suggest this when he said: “Persons who violate the law of our nation are subject to prosecution. I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13 to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order,” he said. The White House press secretary seemed to agree with him too claiming that it was ‘very biblical to enforce the law.’

Sessions may be a very capable lawyer but when it comes to interpreting the Bible I would prefer to bow to the authority of the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. King is best-known for his ‘dream speech.’ “I have a dream,” he said, “that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.’ But as we know he paid a heavy price for seeking to see that dream come true.

In the spring of 1963, King was arrested for leading a series of massive non-violent protests against the segregated lunch counters and discriminatory hiring practices rampant in Birmingham, Alabama. While he was there, he received a letter from eight Alabama ministers who told him that they agreed with his goals, but they thought that he should call off the demonstrations and obey the law. King’s response was crystal clear. “One might well ask,” he replied, “how can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?” The answer “is found in the fact that there are two kinds of laws: just laws … and unjust laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws but conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”

He was right. We have a duty to respect, to pray for and to obey those who govern us. But we have a higher duty, and that is to obey God even when that means disobeying the law. That’s why the first Christians refused to acknowledge the Roman Emperor as their Lord.

It’s no different today. I believe its right to obey the law, but my obedience to the state should never trump my obedience to God when it comes down to the freedom of religion and my right to argue for certain moral values. There are times, and perhaps they are fast approaching, when I too will have to say: “Here I stand. I can do no other.”

Rob James is a Baptist Pastor broadcaster and writer who currently operates as a church and media consultant for the Evangelical Alliance Wales. He is available for preaching and teaching throughout Wales and can be contacted at [email protected]