Why I Respect, Appreciate, Admire, and Support Our Police
The role of a police officer, and all government officials, is a God ordained appointment for the protection and safety of society.
The Bible is God’s plan in written form for humans to live happily and successfully on earth. The ancient truths of Scripture were designed by God in such a way that they are still today perfectly practical, applicable, and workable in the twenty-first century, and will always be so until the end of time as we know it.
In the Scripture, Romans 13 records that God created police. This description of earthly government includes details of the necessary functions of successful police departments in the United States of America. These details are impossible to ignore.
Romans 13:1, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God,” By His providential power, God Himself puts His choice of governmental officials in their positions to accomplish His purposes. Psalm 75:6-7, “For not from the east, nor from the west, Nor from desert comes exaltation; But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another.” Knowing how certain persons will cause certain reactions, the Lord sometimes selects bad leaders to punish bad citizenry, and good leaders to reward good citizenry; Therefore, citizens of all class and financial levels must humbly and respectfully cooperate with those whom God has placed in positions of leadership. This does not mean citizens cannot communicate with authorities to voice suggestions and criticisms, but with appropriate attitudes and conversation.
Romans 13:2, “Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.” God has ordained appropriate punishment for those who oppose His proper government leadership.
Romans 13:3, “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have not fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;” Reciprocally, rulers have a responsibility to commend and reward good citizens.
Romans 13:4, “For it [governmental authority] is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does to bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” Punishment for lawbreaking must be strong enough to discourage future offenses.
Romans 13:5, “Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.” Both fear of punishment, and personal peace of mind and heart, are motives for doing what is right.
Romans 13:6, “For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.” It is God, not greedy politicians, who created taxation of citizens for the financing of government.
Romans 13:7, “Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear [respect] to whom fear; honor [appreciation] to whom honor.” Proper attitude is “part one” of the acceptable response to governments and police departments, “part one” being kind, appropriate actions towards leaders.
Romans 13:8, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” One thing we will always “owe” others is to lovingly commute with each other.
Romans 13:9, “For this, ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Romans 13:10, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.” The supreme motivation and most effective perspective in all matters is love for all other people. (Read I Corinthians 13 for the finest description of love).
Romans 13:12-13 “…Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness…Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkeness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.”
I Timothy 2:1-2, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so the we may lead a tranquil and quite life in all godliness and dignity.” We are commanded by God to faithfully pray for all those that He has put in authority over us.
LETS REVIEW AND SUMMARIZE:
God created human government.
We citizens must humbly submit to and cooperate with all lawful authorities.
Citizens also must highly respect police.
We citizens must pray for the success of all levels of government leaders.
Leaders must acknowledge good conduct and deeds of citizens by rewards and public recognition.
Each of us must focus on living happy, productive personal lives in friendliness with others.
To every officer of the law I say THANK YOU for your service in your God-appointed responsibility.
WRITTEN BY MITCHELL A. SIDLES