Let's be real: we're
discouraged!
As the anti-police pundits are calling for the dismantling of our God-ordained profession in the wake of George's Floyd's tragic death (and wickedly and falsely attacking us for simply carrying our calling), many of us are contemplating retirement or otherwise turning in our shields. Perhaps never before in our history have the attacks on us -- mental, physical and spiritual -- been so fierce.
So how are we to respond? More importantly, how would God have us respond? Fellow officer (and those who love us), take heart! God has NOT abandoned us, He is not surprised by any of this and He will lead us to overwhelming victory against the forces of evil arrayed against us as we surrender to Him in faith.
Let's look at 3 short points:
First, understand that our God-given calling and authority under
Romans 13:1-4
has not been vacated (regardless of what the pundits and politicians are telling you). But yes, we are in fact in a battle against Satan and his legions for the very existence of our God-ordained profession (and our nation along with it). He literally HATES all we stand for (our
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
and biblical calling are like acid in his throat). Where do we see this in Scripture? For starters, turn to
2 Thessalonians 2
(the "man of lawlessness") and then see
"Signs of the End Times"
from Billy and Franklin Graham.
Secondly, know that God Himself is calling us to
"hold the line"
both physically and spiritually. Frankly, we don't have much control over how we can (or can't) respond physically right now (we've been "handcuffed" to be sure). But spiritually speaking, this
battle is ultimately the Lord's
and He is calling us, His faithful, to stand firm in Him by taking up the armor and weapons -- the
whole Armor of God
-- that He has given us. While I've taught on this many times before, let's see again what He is commanding us to do in
Ephesians 6:10-18
(added emphasis):
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole
armor of God,
that you may be able
to stand
against the schemes of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand firm.
Stand
therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the
shield of faith,
with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance...
Finally, God wants
Christians (Is that you?)
to lean on Him and be
ENCOURAGED
even in the midst of this crisis (and those that
will
follow). What does that look like?
As believers, our hearts should break for what breaks Jesus’ heart, and we mourn with those who mourn. But as we do—keeping our eyes on Jesus by praying, regular fellowship with other believers and staying in God’s Word—we can find
hope and encouragement
for the future. Here then are just a few (of many) passages of Scripture for us "train" on in these dark times:
(1)
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”
--
Jeremiah 29:11.
Now context is vital here (this being one of the most misused/misunderstood verses in Scripture): this was a specific promise for God's chosen people in the midst of their captivity. And
verse 10
before it makes it clear that it was another
70 years
before this promise came to fruition (meaning pretty much all who originally heard it would be dead by the time it was fulfilled). But the meaning for us who have been born again in Christ today is that this is ultimately about the establishment of His perfect,
earthly Kingdom
for a 1000 years and then with Him in Heaven for eternity.
(2)
"He has caused us to be
born again
to a living
hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”
—
1 Peter 1:3-4
(added emphasis).
(3) For the
born again believer,
“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
—
Philippians 3:20
(4)
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by his love; He will exult over you with loud singing.”
—
Zephaniah 3:17.
(5)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
—
Romans 15:13.
(6)
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
—
Isaiah 40:31.
(7)
“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.”
—
Psalm 39:7.
(8)
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
--
Romans 12:12.
(9)
“The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
—
Romans 8:18.
(10)
“Behold, I am coming soon...Come quickly, Lord Jesus
” —
Revelation 22:12, 20.
(11)
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the
encouragement
of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
—
Romans 15:4
(added emphasis).
(12)
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
—
Revelation 21:4.
AMEN!!
And who are these promises for? To whom is our Lord addressing encouragement and hope?
ONLY
those who have in fact been
born again
in Christ alone
(John 3:1-21, 14:6).
Likewise, for those who insist on rejecting Christ as Lord and Savior, there is no hope whatsoever (hell -- by their own choosing).
Friend, do YOU have this hope? If not, you can! Scroll down to the
Know God?
section below for the "how to."
Let's
HOLD the LINE
behind Christ our Captain who will lead us to
ultimate victory
!
MC
_______________
KNOW GOD?
(1) Do you continue to hold to an utterly false hope that you can "earn" or otherwise "badge" your way into heaven and escape hell because you consider yourself to be a "
good
" cop or a "good" person (the "I'm good" mess)? That you can be "good" enough without knowing Christ as Lord and Savior? That mere "belief" is enough to "save" you? That you somehow "deserve" heaven because of your so-called "good" service in law enforcement? Take the
Good Person Test
and see how you do!
(2) Jesus' first recorded words in His earthly adult ministry included,
"Repent and believe in the Good News...
" --
Mark 1:15.
To
repent
is a "180" -- a complete,
radical
change of mind and heart as it relates to our sin (as God defines it). To "believe" (
pisteuo
in the original Greek) as Jesus intends it here is to wholeheartedly trust and
surrender
your life to Him in faith in the same way we have "faith" that our body armor will do its job against the rounds it is intended to stop; that a well-maintained weapon will function properly when used in against criminals intent on destroying us or others; or that our parachute will open when it is supposed to on a combat jump (we stake our very lives on it)! For more, see
What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
(3) This same concept of "
believe
" (the saving kind) is further revealed in
John 3:1-21
where Jesus says, "
... you must be born again
." Again, note our Lord's emphasis on the word "
must
" (not "may" or "should" or even "someday"): this is ultimately the life-saving AND life-changing personal relationship (and NOT "religion") with Jesus Christ that I stress here every week (see
What does it mean to be a born again Christian
?). HINT: there is no other kind.
(5) Need more? Then check out this powerful, short video message that also comes to us from
Travis Yates
:
Cops and Salvation
(6) Have you now said "yes" to Jesus as Lord and Savior but are wondering what to do next? The "now what" is also an important part in dealing with the issues that can lead to suicide and sin in general. Click on,
Now what?
MC
