Protecting Those Who Protect Us:

Something To Think About, Angels:

It is hard to think about the murder of the two policemen in Brooklyn New York without using words like "senseless," "heinous," or "barbaric."  When those who protect us and enforce the law are attacked, not for anything they have done, but for who they are, it is a sign of trouble in our culture.  When people chant atpublic demonstrations that they want "dead cops," "now!" it is an indication that the rot is not limited to one deranged gun-man. The reality is that we live in a fallen world, and those of us who populate it are flawed.  One of the truths that the Bible puts forth is that in this world it is necessary that there be those who enforce the law, and hold lawbreakers accountable. In Romans 13 we read,  “. . . whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed the authority will receive condemnation upon themselves. "For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;” (Romans 13:2–3, NASB95).  Keep in mind who the Holy Spirit used to pen those words.  Paul was converted Jewish Rabbi.  He would eventually find himself a prisoner of the Roman government--not for doing anything wrong, but for preaching the truth.  I don't think there is any doubt that Paul knew there were problems with the Roman authority.  He certainly knew that not all Roman soldiers and officials were pure of heart.  In the First Century, as well as the Twenty-first, there were/are bad cops, but both Paul, Peter, and Jesus make clear that the default condition ought to be one of respect for, and obedience to authority (Romans 13, 1 Peter 2:13-17, Luke 20:25).  This isn't all that the Bible says on the subject, but this is foundational.  Those of us who claim to speak for the Lord need to make sure that we clearly make this point.  Maybe I'm prejudiced but I like the Apostle Paul's rhetoric, "Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same."  (Romans 13:3)  It may not chant well, and it might be too long for a sign, but it is what we need to hear. It's Something To Think About. Here are some thoughts I shared shortly after the violence in Ferguson MO began.  While I admit I don't understand it all, I, nevertheless, reinforce that we need sound and strong law enforcement, and a society that supports it.