You Can’t be a Christian on this Job

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)

   Have you ever heard it said of certain careers, “You can’t be a Christian on that job”? Technically, no one is a Christian by how they act. People are Christians because they’ve received Jesus as their personal Saviour. When people say, “You can’t be a Christian on that job,” they may mean, “You can’t conduct yourself as a Christian on that job.” For some occupations, that’s true. You would have serious credibility issues as a Christian if, say, you sold illegal drugs or worked at a bar, casino, or porn shop.

   Ever heard it said, “You can’t be a Christian as a cop”? If anyone tells you that, ask him why not. He may say, “Doesn’t the Bible say, ‘Thou shalt not kill’? What if you have to shoot somebody?” If he says that, ask him, “Where does the Bible say that?” See if he knows. If he says, “I don’t know. It’s in there somewhere,” you can say, “It’s Exodus 20:13, right before ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery.’” 

   For clarity, Exodus 20:13 is not about police use of deadly force. It is about murder. The Bible makes it clear. In Matthew 19:18, Jesus referred to the Ten Commandments. He said, “Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal,…” etc. He did not say, “kill.” He said, “murder.” Big difference between the two. If one scripture makes a statement a little different from another scripture, it’s not a mistake. It can very well be a clarification, like the difference between killing and murder.

   Some may say, “You can’t be a Christian because sometimes you have to go into bars or night clubs or porn shops.” Yet places like these may need police service at times. Christian or not, if some sinful place needs police service, you do not have the right to refuse to go. You must do the job you were sworn to do.

   Yet it is also likely that when the problem you were called for is resolved, other cops will take time to see whatever wicked sights are there. If you have made it clear you are a Christian–hopefully you have– it is also likely that they will look to see if YOU take time to see whatever wicked sights are there.

   Psalm 101:3 says, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:” That means looking at something on purpose. Something you shouldn’t see may come into your line of vision. Don’t focus on it or let your eyes wander. Focus on doing your job and GET OUT. Your buddies may joke later about you looking where you shouldn’t have been, but if you know in your heart that you didn’t, God knows it, too.

   1 Corinthians 5:9-10 says, “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-10) Ungodly people can be found in any occupation, but you need to strive to reach them with the gospel, so you must interact with them at times.

   Philippians 1:27 says, “Only let your conversation (including how you do your job) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:” Jesus loves your co-workers and died for them as much as for you. Let desire to reach them with the gospel motivate you: “For the love of Christ constraineth us;” (2 Corinthians 5:15)

   Police work can be tough on many levels: on you and your family. Conducting yourself as a servant of Jesus can be an additional challenge. Yet God’s word is true. As our verse says, the Lord will give you the strength you need: “Surely shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength:” (Isaiah 45:24)