Christians in Policing: Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Reflection:
Now more than ever the role and responsibilities of law enforcement in the United States is under scrutiny and questioning. As a Christian and police officer, I have struggled with this very topic and questioned whether or not there is a ministry and calling for Christian men and women within the force. Although not all of scripture is prescriptive on how we should live our life, I think there are truths that can be applied to answer this question in these times of tribulation.
Romans 12 starts with the emphasis on presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, that this is our true acts of worship. This is not a call for legalism or works based religion. Paul is simply and clearly pointing out that in return for God’s grace, the only reasonable response for a believer to do is to commit our lives to Him and His truths. Our next calling is not to conform to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is the precedent laid out for us to soberly and intimately seek the Lord in His word so that we may able to test and approve what God’s will is…His GOOD, His PLEASING and PERFECT will.
Today more than ever as Christians in America we are called to conform to the standards of our society. Our sanctification is not instant, but a process. A mind dedicated to the world and its concerns will produce a life tossed back and forth by the culture of change. But a mind dedicated to God’s truth will produce a life that can stand the test of time and pressures of culture. The more we indulge ourselves in scripture and God’s truth the more we will be empowered and strengthened by the Spirit as our guide in our thoughts and behaviors.
“HUMBLE SERVICE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST” – v.3-8
Each one of us through God’s grace are granted gifts that should be used in return for His glory. Two examples we see, service and showing mercy are prime examples within the job of policing. The verses following this paint a biblical example of how we can apply the authority granted to us within the job.
-Love Must Be Sincere
-Hate what is evil, Cling to what is Good”….how do we know whats good? By applying verses 1 and 2…the renewing of our minds.
-Be devoted to one another in love, Honor one another above yourselves.--- (quiet professionals…humility)
-Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction… bless those who persecute you..do not curse them
-Do not be proud, do not be conceited, associate with those of low positions
1 Peter 3:8-18
Suffering for Doing Good
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a]
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
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Our renewal of our minds is to be transformed more and more into Christ image. In his article, “Are Christians Biblically justified to defend themselves using lethal force?”, Minister Baret Fawbush applies biblical context within the realm of Justice. Fawbush establishes that God designed humanity to have value, not because of who we are, but because of what we are; “Image bearers of God.” Fawbush points out that all throughout scripture the emphasis on the preservation of human life and the penalty for those that don’t. Exodus 22 gives evidence to the importance of preservation of life over law and property. Fawbush also points out the affirmation by Jesus in Luke 14:5,
“1One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. 2There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal
swelling of his body. 3Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to
heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he
healed him and sent him on his way. 5Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or
an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?”
6And they had nothing to say.”
I know you may be thinking, “where is this going James…” but bear with me..Fawbush explains this further,
“We have Exodus 22:2 supporting self-defense and laying the
foundation for Pikuach Nefesh. This then leads us to Jesus supporting the idea of
Pikuach Nefesh above one of the heaviest Jewish commandments of His day:
honoring the Sabbath.
This, my friends, was the short answer. Quick and easy. And there are people out
there who snap back, “Well, the Bible doesn’t explicitly say that we are permitted to
… .” and I would tell them to read Exodus 22:2-3 again. But it needs to be
understood that the Bible finds self-defense to be a common-sense issue. It’s never
specifically brought up because of how obvious the answer is for the Jewish people.
Another point that needs to be stressed is that the same God of the Hebrews is the
God of Christianity. The same foundation laid for Jewish principles is the
groundwork of Jesus’ ministry, life, and teaching. It’s highly unfortunate that people
are just now starting to get back to the Jewishness of Jesus in their studies. Many are
finding that the Gospels make a lot more sense the more you study first century
Judaism.”
He continues:
“Justice is supremely important to God because it is a part of His nature. He is just. He
is just because He is GOOD. Being good means that He is loving, merciful, and does
what is right. He upholds Justice because that’s who He is.
AW Tozer described it best when he writes:
“It is sometimes said, ‘Justice requires God to do this,’ referring to some act we know
He will perform. This is an error of thinking as well as of speaking, for it postulates a
principle of justice outside of God, which compels Him to act in a certain way. Of
course there is no such principle. If there were it would be superior to God, for only
a superior power can compel obedience. The truth is that there is not and can never
be anything outside of the nature of God which can move Him in the least degree. All
God’s reasons come from within His uncreated being. Nothing has entered the being
of God from eternity, nothing has been removed, and nothing has been changed.
Justice, when used of God, is a name we give to the way God is, nothing more; and
when God acts justly He is not doing so to conform to an independent criterion, but
simply acting like Himself in a given situation. . . God is His own self-existent
principle of moral equity, and when He sentences evil men or rewards the righteous,
He simply acts like Himself from within, uninfluenced by anything that is not
Himself.” ii
Proverbs 16:16 tells us that one of the things that “God hates” is the “hands that
shed innocent blood.” God hates it. Strong words. He hates it because it is precisely
the opposite of who He is.”
We see Fawbush highlighting the same principles established for us in Romans 12:9..”hate what is evil, cling to what is good.” Again, how do we know what is good? By the renewing of our minds leading us to be able to test and approve what Gods will is…aka through His Word.
This leads us to Romans 12:17-18, do not repay evil for evil and when it is within our power live in peace. Paul realizes that this broken and hostile world we live in we may sometime face violence that is not initiated by us and requires a defensive response. This may be the defense of ourselves or others.
Psalm 82:4
“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the
wicked.”
Micah 6:8
“He has told you what is good, O man; and what does the Lord require of
you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Psalm 106:3
“Blessed are they who observe justice, who do what is right at all
times.”
John 15:13
“No greater love then a man that lays down his life for his friends.”
Many would argue that the sermon on the Mount and Jesus famous teaching of “turning the other cheek” is a rebuttal to one physically defending themselves or others from physical harm as Christians. Fawbush lays out the context of this sermon,
“Doesn’t the Bible say something about turning the other cheek and thou shall not kill?”
Why, yes, it does! We mentioned these questions at the start of our article and now
we find a time to answer them. Arguing the “Thou shall not kill command” is pretty
simple. Killing is understood within this context as murder. “Do not murder or shed
innocent blood.”
The turning other cheek part is easy, too, but there’s a little bit more we have to dive
into because we want to be as true to what Jesus is saying as possible and also what
He’s not saying.
Let’s begin with Jesus’ famous words found in
Matthew 5:38-47:
You have heard that
it was said, “AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.” But I say to you, do
not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to
him also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as
well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who
asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have
heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love
your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your
Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on
the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will
you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own
people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
In order to grasp the meaning of Jesus’ words, it must be understood that Jesus is
not giving us new laws or contradicting the old ones. To think and spout off such
silly things demonstrates unfamiliarity with Jesus’ teaching and Biblical literature. If
you are that person, forgive my coarse words and go do some study.
It’s obvious from the discourse on the hill (Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount),
that Jesus is not being exhaustive in His lawgiving. Imagine if that was His objective.
Imagine if He were indeed giving you every all-encompassing command for how to
respond to everything and everyone, ever. Pretty nonsensical, eh?
Rather, we are to understand Jesus’ words as a describing the TYPE of person who
lives in God’s Kingdom acts.
Action, fulfilling a command, apart from the heart means nothing. So, I can do what
Jesus tells me to do, but with the wrong attitude or with an evil heart. Imagine if I
were to walk into a bank. Looking around, I decide that it is a crime of opportunity
and I’m going to rob the bank. But a door opens to my left and out comes a security
guard, armed with a gun. “Rats!” I think. Just because I walked away from the bank
that morning without robbing it, doesn’t mean that God is impressed with my ability
to keep the commandment of not stealing. To Jesus, everything is a heart issue. Once
the heart is changed, actions will spill forth.
Jesus put it like this, in Matthew 7:18-20: “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a
bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down
and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
A person’s good heart will bring forth good things. And within the KINGDOM, which
is the context of Jesus’ sermon on the hill (as it relates to turning the other cheek),
the type of person Jesus is describing is the type of person who will respond
according to a world where God is king, as oppose to the “old kingdom” prescribed
by the Scribes and Pharisees that were Jesus’ contemporaries.
Jesus’s words simply stand in stark contrast with the religious leaders of His day.
They had taught from a disposition that was from a legalistic perspective, meaning
“do this, don’t do this and you’ll get to heaven.”
WITH ALL OF THIS IN MIND, let us re-read Jesus’ words and let us understand that
Jesus gives four illustrations (yes, illustrations -- examples) to clarify Jesus’ point on
lex talionis. Lex talionis is Latin for “The Law of Retaliation.” And if you look at all of
these examples Jesus gives, you’re going to notice a judiciary setting behind each of
them: Slapping someone, being sued, being required by law or court order to
perform a task, and the loaning of money.
What should be emphasized here is that, for the sake of repairing relationships and
living our lives in love towards other people, instead of seeking compensation for
the wrong done to us by other people, the Kingdom heart invests in the
relationship, not in the compensation that we can receive from it. Essentially, I
believe that Jesus is asking us not to damage relationships and peace for material
things, money, or compensation. But let us suppose that I’m WAY off base. Let us
assume that Jesus had none of the following in mind and let us navigate through the
text.
You have heard that it was said, “AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.”
But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right
cheek, turn the other to him also.
Jesus, again, is referring to the old dikaiosuné (righteousness) of His people’s day
and specifically, He is referencing the law in the Old Testament from Exodus 21:24.
This law was not given to God’s people to foster vengeance (Leviticus 19:18) but
instead was given provide God’s people with a judicial formula for punishing
offenders. This also helps God’s people from escalating their anger, which is what
anger does -- it feeds off of more anger (this will be an important point to keep in
mind shortly).
Slapping a person. When was the last time you were slapped? Pretty painless, right?
I’m sure it wasn’t an all-out attack, but it was due to some insult you gave or some
offense that was taken. But the reason for a slap is to shame the other person for
what they’ve said or what they’ve done. Not to do irreversible bodily harm or death.
Slapping is a way that we communicate disgust with a person when mere words
could not communicate in that moment like a strike on the face could.
In the first century Jewish world Jesus lived in, shaming was a big deal. The culture
was that of shame and honor and both were held in such high regard that great
shame would lead someone to suicide (Judas Iscariot, for example).
Either way, the Greek language here in Matthew 5:39 for slap is the Greek word
rhapizei. It refers to a sharp slap. In the Gospel of Luke, a different Greek word is
given, but refers to the same thing. A sharp, quick slap.v It is not a punch or a blow to
the face meant to seriously harm someone, but simply a slap to wound the ego.
Instead of striking another person back because of your wounded ego, the Kingdom
heart that Jesus calls us to have is to be reflected by the TYPE of person who makes
themselves vulnerable to public ridicule for the SAKE of the offender. Why? The late
Dallas Willard had some fascinating words from his book, The Divine Conspiracy that
explain this best (stay with the lengthy quote for the sake of the point):
“What actually happens when one derives one’s response from the reality of the
kingdom is that the dynamics of personal interaction are transformed. What does
the person (attacker) do who has been offered the other cheek? Or perhaps has now
slapped it? Keep on slapping? For how long? And then what? We must always be
alert for acceptable ways of removing ourselves from the situation… Our
tormentors, no doubt, count on our resistance and anger to support their
continuation of evil that is in them. If we respond as Jesus indicates, the force of
their own actions pulls them off their stance and forces them to question what kind
of people they really are… the justification of their anger and evil that they were
counting on has been removed. As anger feeds on anger, so patient goodness will
normally deflate it.”vi
What Fawbush is pointing out and what Jesus was stating is that this comes back to the heart of a person. The Pharisees of his time were restricted to the practices of the law…missing entirely what the point of the law was. As Christians we are called to have the emotional “high and sight” in these moments of accusation and humiliation. We are called to be slow to anger, v12, “patient in affliction.”
Proverbs 12:16
“Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult.”
As police officers we should have maturity and patience to withstand the accusations and slander we face every day. This patience comes from the understanding that the only thing separating us from the lost we deal with is the Grace of God.
Titus 3:1-8
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Romans 5:8-11
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
This is also the responsibility to be blameless in the eyes of our accusers today, to walk in the light that we may withstand the false testimonies. To “not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”(v.21)
Additional Texts:
Matthew 13:19-23
19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Galatians 1:3-5
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Ephesians 4:17-32
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10
4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
1 Peter 3:8-18
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a]
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
1 John 4:12
12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
Final Thoughts:
With the encouragement of scripture, I think it is very clear there is a place for Christians within law enforcement. This role should be accepted with humility, and patience, and a love for what is right and good. This does not merit an abuse of violence on those that oppose us, but an execution of justified violence when it is in the preservation of life and innocence. I recognize the difference in justice and vengeance; for “Vengeance is mine says the Lord.” This is a very fine line, and we must realize this.
Some may point to the Garden of Gethsemane as an example of Christ rebuking physical defense, again there is context. Christ did not come as a Messiah to overthrow the Roman empire or powers of His time. His disciples did not realize this until post resurrection. Prior to this, Jesus had instructed His disciples to invest in swords. Some argue this was to fulfill prophecy, but again, if we look at context of what is said in the Garden I believe we have an answer. Christ was in control of the Garden, Peter’s actions were not accomplishing anything in the physical defense of Christ in this moment. Christ was on His path to what He came for, to die and save the elect from every tribe and every nation into eternal life, not this life. The Lord does not rebuke Peter for having a sword, but instructs him to “put it away.” The Lord goes on to tell Peter that those who live by the sword die by the sword. I do not interpret this as a condemnation, but a reality. In our profession we face violence, and it may cost us our lives.
The country and world is watching, how we respond should reflect the light that we have been given to show. Those of us that call ourselves Christians should live by the reality that Christ accomplished what he came for, to save people from every race, city, nation, neighborhood, etc. We should be careful to not be like Jonah and live with discontent for others that the Lord may call to repent and His own.
There is one race, the human race, image bearers of the One true God. And as Christians we know that within that race there are those in Christ, and those that are not. This does not give us a right to pride but on the contrary, in our realization that the only thing that separates us from them is the un deserving Grace of God. This should reflect empathy and patience in our interactions with others. We may not be able to share this gospel with others within our occupation, but our behavior should reflect it. We must also understand that the cultures definition of love and Biblical love are very different. Biblical love does not condone sin, but confronts it.
Our society thrives on anecdotal evidence. We should be mindful of every word and action that is within our control and responsibility. Right vs Left politics is not going to fix the broken and hurting communities we swore to protect and serve. As Christians we recognize the problems our society faces is a sin problem. Whether that is unjustified uses of force by other officers across the country or violent riots destroying our inner cities, sin is sin.
We are not called to hide this light, but be an example in this present darkness. We must strive to be blameless and seek what is good. This starts at the lowest and individual level. We must hold ourselves accountable and realize now more than ever the justice we seek to uphold may also be holding our coworkers accountable. It starts and ends with us. Our society and media thrive off the social error of over generalization. It should always be at the front of our minds to not bring reproach on our department, our family, but more importantly, Our Savior.
We must overcome evil with good. And through this, even behind the badge, we can bring Glory to God. This is not a call to violence, but a call for standing up for what is right and just in these times where these very principles are being “redefined.” For my brothers and sisters in these cities under turmoil, stand strong. Over the last few years I have been very tempted to look elsewhere for occupation. The easy path would be to look for comfort off the streets. But as Christian men and women we are not given a spirit of fear, but one that calls us to stand firm when the storm arrives.
-James Doyle
References:
“Are Christians Biblically Justified to Defend Themselves Using Lethal Force?”, Baret Fawbush, 05/10/2016, TRUSTANDARD.NET
NKJV STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY, THOMAS NELSON INC., DALLAS, TEXAS, 2007 EDITORIAL