Defend the Police!

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That is not a misspelling. You read it right. It is both biblical and reasonable. Do not defund the police – defend the police. Every nation needs forces that curb lawless behavior. Followers of Christ need to publicly support governing bodies, the laws of the land, and the police force unless those laws and governing authorities violate how Christ has taught us to live.

The Bible is clear about a Christian’s relationship to government in Romans 13:1- 5: “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.” (NLT)

Governing authorities help curb lawlessness among people who rebel against the law. The police force exists to protect citizens against criminal behavior. Paul goes as far to say that they are God’s servants, sent for our good. People without a conscience to govern their behavior need an outside force that they fear to keep them from hurting others.

The vast majority of law enforcement officers I have ever met were great men and women. As with every occupation, you will find the very few who exploit their position for personal gain or disrespect the very law that they are empowered to enforce. But like a dam that holds back water, so officers hold back evil from society. The cry to defund the police simply emboldens the criminal.

Christian people should be the best citizens. They should respect authority, obey the law and pray for their leaders. The apostles practiced civil disobedience only when they were told to stop preaching in the Name of Jesus. Their response to this command was, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). When the laws of men conflict with the laws of God, we respectfully, but courageously, obey God and willingly suffer the consequences.

This morning’s headlines tout church burnings, rioting, record shootings and murder. What force has God put in place to curb such mayhem? In the United States, we call them the police – and they are under attack. May God bless and protect them as they restrain evil in our society.