The Golden Rule for Leaders

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:” (Matthew 7:12)

Cities across America are in deep trouble. Police officers are leaving their departments for others or leaving the job altogether. Many people do not want to be police. Others remain on the job but do as little as possible to avoid the risk of financial pain by heavy-handed discipline. In the meantime, out-of-control criminals terrorize decent people. What should leaders do?

Here’s an unlikely source of good advice: the Bible. You may recognize the opening verse as the Golden Rule. If you are a political leader, here are some thoughts on how the Word of God, including the Golden Rule, will help you make wise decisions about your police department.

First, the police officer’s job is ordained by God, just like yours. God’s Word says so: “…the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Romans 13:1) That means leaders and police officers. The government needs an enforcement arm. Laws mean nothing if no one will enforce them.

Also, police are on the job as the enforcement arm to confront criminals: “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.” (Romans 13:3) Police are to confront and even cause fear in the hearts of criminals. God’s Word says that, too. Yes, some officers could use a personality check at times, but their main job, after all, is to go after criminals.

Confronting criminals can also get ugly: “…But if thou [criminal] do that which is evil, be afraid; for he [police] beareth not the sword in vain:” (Romans 13:4) God knows criminals use deadly weapons to commit crimes. No decent officer wants to use deadly force, but In order to serve decent people, police must be able to confront criminals on the terms that the criminals set.

Taking power from the police also does not help decent citizens. Rather, it encourages crime. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” (Ecclesiastes 8:11) If offenders know, for example, that police may not do vehicle pursuits, they will take advantage, just as the Bible says.

Finally, the Golden Rule. Read police reports on crimes that happen to your constituents: auto thefts, robberies, burglaries, homicides. Think of the horrific details. Listen to 911 calls. Now put yourself in their place. What if you had been robbed at gunpoint, your home burglarized, or a loved one killed, and you lived daily in fear of criminals? What would you want the police to do?

Leadership is not easy. You are consistently pressured from all sides. Yet God can give you grace and wisdom through His Word to do well. Most importantly, if you want to see from the Bible how to have forgiveness of sins and a home in heaven by receiving Jesus as Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, and click “Helpful Links”, then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

Brian Miller 6/24/2022

Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822