No, No, No---THANK YOU! (Rendering Honor To Whom Honor is Due)

I received a heartfelt "thank you" from the wife of a Christian police officer today for my recent article. Of course it is I who owes this family, and all police families for that matter, a debt of gratitude. Contrary to popular opinion, firefighters and military men and women are not the only Americans who deserve our thanks. Stop and consider this: when is the last time you thanked a law enforcement officer for anything?  I am just as guilty of this as you.

A few of you would do well to go on a "ride along" during third shift in the inner city. If that sounds too dangerous perhaps a few episodes of "Cops Reloaded" on your living room sofa would suffice. Amazingly, these civil servants risk their well-being shift after shift in order to protect and serve our local communities. Forgive me/us for not praying for you more often. I believe these posts represent the heart of many people including my entire family.

As he often does, Pastor John MacArthur led by example when Grace Church hosted a "Law Enforcement Appreciation" event post Ferguson riots. This was not the most politically correct thing to do just as it was not PC when Pastor John broke the color barrier to minister the gospel with black pastors in the deep south during the height of the MLK Jr Civil Rights movement. The point John made in both cases is unmistakable (note the balance of Romans 13; Galatians 3:28; and John 3:16).

It truly saddened me today when a few Christian acquaintances got bent out of shape with a "graphic photo" I posted. This newsworthy image illustrated a very important point; (as the photo was posted by a racist NFL player from just a few days ago and reflects the attitude of far too many Americans). I imagine these same Fundamentalists would have objected to the disturbing photos that were taken of concentration camps after our troops liberated various camps during WWII; (BTW that is exactly what happened in history- I get it, sometimes it's easier to not deal with reality). If we're being consistent the Word of God includes many graphic chapters and images in order to drive home indelible truths (think Genesis 38; 2 Samuel 13; Ezekiel 16:25). But now I digress.

Here is a prayer request from a believing law enforcement officer that was sent today. "Please pray for all of us when it comes to decision making. If any of us have to do any type of enforcement that requires force to gain compliance there is zero support from management. They are practically looking for ways to get people in trouble so they can prove they sympathize with the protesters. You can pray for all of our spouses and families too. There have been death threats, officers and dispatchers being followed home and surveillance being done on police stations. Nothing has happened yet but it just makes everyone feel tense."

READ- A Christian Police Officer's open letter post Dallas shooting.

Phil Johnson also shared- 15 Things Cops Wish The Public Knew About Policing