1 Peter 2:13-17
Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In recent days, two friends of mine who are in law enforcement have both announced that they are stepping aside. One is our current county sheriff, who says he will not seek another term. The other, who has been involved in law enforcement off and on for decades, announced that he would seek the office of sheriff…then announced that he was halting his campaign. Both cited the ugliness of politics…and the toll it took – or could take – on their families. To me, this is a real shame, because I know both of these men to be conscientious, caring, Christian men who take their job very seriously and truly care about the people with whom they are involved. I have to wonder who will actually seek this position…and what type of law enforcement we can expect in our county in the coming years.
Let’s be clear… I know that there are “bad apples” in every organization…including governmental offices and law enforcement. And I really had a little bit of a discussion with God about using this scripture passage today. I honestly didn’t want to tackle this topic, because I’ll admit…we don’t always agree with every elected official. There are those who are not happy with certain law enforcement officers, for one reason or another. Maybe there is “talk” in your community that this officer or that one has no tolerance for those who exceed the speed limit…or that he/she is “hard-nosed” when it comes to kids who break the law. Maybe you passionately disagree with the platform and actions of your local government officials…your legislators or governor – or even the President and his cabinet. Perhaps you have had an unpleasant personal encounter with one of these officials - or a representative of his/her office.
I encourage you to read today’s scripture passage again. Nowhere does it say that we must like those in office. But we are told to be good citizens, to obey the law…and in doing so – to avoid confrontation with law enforcement! So maybe we should worry more about not speeding…and less about the ticket-happy officer who might pull us over!
We are admonished to treat everyone with dignity and respect the government. And we are reminded that these people are God’s creations – just like we are! They are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. They have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews…and friends. They are human, and they experience the same daily events – and accompanying emotions – that you and I do. They have joys, sorrows, illnesses and injuries, bills to pay, and a myriad of responsibilities. So while you may not agree with all politicians, it does not please God when we verbally attack them or speak disrespectfully about them, call them names, and encourage their unkind treatment – or even make them the butt of our jokes.
We must keep these thoughts foremost in our minds and hearts. Law enforcement officers and elected leaders truly are no different than anyone else we encounter. We don’t have to agree with them…we don’t have to like them and make them our personal friends. But we must respect those in authority. We must behave in a way that honors God…and in doing so, respects the laws and those who make them. We must let God serve as the judge of all others…while we “keep our noses clean” and behave as true disciples of Christ.
And while we’re at it, I believe that God is calling on us to pray for these leaders. When the scriptures say “Love your spiritual family” and “respect God,” it seems to me that this would include asking God to guide these people in their positions of leadership and authority. I believe that we are called to show compassion and concern for them, just as we would to anyone else. I know this may be asking a lot. But if we want to truly love and serve God – and honor Him – we will make every effort to show respect and care for others…without exclusion.
Let’s examine our “citizenship”…and our attitudes and behaviors toward those who are in authority. Let’s ask God to give us a sense of respect, tolerance, and understanding for each of them…especially those who rub us the wrong way. Let’s live in a way that glorifies and pleases God…even if/when we don’t feel like it! Let’s exercise our freedom by serving God…and trust Him to handle the rest.
©2014 Debbie Robus
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