By Waylon Bailey, Pastor of FBC Covington
It’s Sunday afternoon, and I feel intense grief over the shooting of a number of police officers in Baton Rouge. At this point, three are reported to have been killed. I cannot imagine what officers and their families all over the nation are feeling right now.
Waylon Bailey
What can we say about such unspeakable acts?
First, never return violence for violence. Neither you nor I have the authorization to do so. “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable” (Romans 12:17).
Punishment is the duty of God and government. In this and all cases of violence and lawlessness, government must do its job.
Second, we need police. Only law enforcement stands between us and anarchy or a wild West mentality.
Recently, Charles Barkley, a former professional athlete, weighed in on the police killings in Dallas. Barkley, an African American, noted that the black community especially needs a police presence. We all do.
We all need police officers who are called to uphold the rule of law and to treat all people impartially and with dignity and respect. Society cannot survive without it. It is in God’s plan. Read again Romans 13 about the responsibility of government to punish the lawbreaker and to reward those who do good.
Third, let’s cover our police officers in prayer. Let us go desperately to God recognizing that we need Him in our society.
Let us be a people who seek God with all our hearts and all our lives. “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts” (Isaiah 55:6–7).
Finally, as the world becomes more ungodly, let us magnify our godliness, seeking to serve Him in all our ways.
