By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President
The righteous nature of God is the model for human behavior. When individuals and society fall short of or depart from that standard, various degrees of dysfunction and lawlessness result. As Stephen Parker, a police officer in Charlotte, North Carolina, says: “We work where the devil plays…where the devil is, there is chaos…there is anger and bitterness and resentment. Where God is, there is order; there is love, joy, and peace.”
What is true in the transformation of individuals and society in general, applies equally to law enforcement: the need for new life through faith in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul ends his discourse on subjection to law enforcement (Romans 13) with the exhortation, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (v. 14). The foundational solution for biblical law enforcement reform (and society’s response) is evangelism. A heart filled with God the Holy Spirit is needed (see 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 5:18-25). Jesus commanded us just before He left earth: “…repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations…” (Luke 24:47). This is the mission of FaithSearch, and a good reason for your prayer and financial support.
This is not a “pipe dream.” It is illustrated in the practice of many law enforcement officers. Officer Parker, a twenty-five-year veteran, says further: “Christ plays a major role in the way I do things… I’ve been able to help people, to sit and listen when people want to get something off their chest.” He has shared the Gospel with people he has arrested, and he will often give an arrestee time to hug his children before being taken to jail.
Eric Hubbard, a detective from Long Beach, California (also an assistant pastor and chaplain for his department) says every day is “another opportunity to serve the Lord and to represent Him.” He adds, “I speak to you as a police officer of almost nineteen years. I speak to you as an African American… I’ve seen people who serve because they want to help people… The media doesn’t show the millions of positive contacts that officers have with the communities they serve. The public only hears about the encounters that end in tragedy, and they feel like that’s the norm… But that’s far from the norm.”
A Virginia State Police trooper, Michael Seller seeks to bring God’s grace and truth into his interactions with the public. His experience has been that “99% of us are trying to serve the community and are honorable individuals.” He says that being a black police officer today is difficult “because it’s almost like, ‘which side are you on?’ I’m not on a side… I’m on Christ’s side.”
The apostle Paul instructed Timothy, “First of all, then, I urge that… prayers… and thanksgivings be made on behalf of… all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior…” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
1. Pray for their minds – they are overwhelmed with everything they endure
2. Pray for their spirits – they are getting beat down emotionally and spiritually
3. Pray for their support system at home – nurturing their marriages and children
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) holds national retreats to address the spiritual needs of sheriffs, police chiefs, and officers, including their spouses. A forty-hour course equips police officers to serve as chaplains in their department. Another course is designed to strengthen marriages of police officers. These kinds of initiatives are proactive and consistent with biblical law enforcement reform. Christian churches and individuals can help by supporting these initiatives and sponsoring local officers to attend. For more information, go to RRT.BillyGraham.org/NLEM.
Source: Some content taken from “Cops Serving Christ,” Bob Paulson. Decision Magazine, Sept. 2020, pp. 22-23.
