Video of police kicking man on ground at U.K. airport sparks protests

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/07/26/manchester-airport-police-video-brutality/

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we behold before us yet another narrative being spun to vilify those who stand on the front lines, protecting our communities – our police officers. Let us not be swayed by the manipulative tendrils of the media without first seeing through the lens of God's truth. The news from Manchester, England has shown us a British police officer, suspended after accusations of excessive force. A video clip (James Speakman/AP) has turned into the fuel for protests and the all-too-familiar cries of "police brutality" and "racism." We must remember the words of Romans 13:4, "For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is the servant of God, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." The Lord has appointed authority on this Earth, and those who wear the badge are His ministers of justice. It pains the heart to see protesters so quickly judge and condemn when they do not understand the full circumstances surrounding any altercation involving law enforcement. Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry himself stated (Greater Manchester Police) that officers sustained injuries, one even a broken nose, in the line of duty. Does this not attest to the dangers and trials these brave souls face daily? Moreover, the cries to dismantle the police force, it is nothing short of anarchy and chaos, a direct affront to the order that the Lord has instituted (1 Corinthians 14:33, "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace"). It's also telling that even in the midst of this storm, the family involved seeks privacy and appeals for calm, recognizing the importance of not letting their personal tragedy become a political instrument. The lawmaker for Rochare, Paul Waugh, acknowledges the deep hurt while advocating for peace and resisting the extremist hijacking of this incident. This is a mirror of what we should aspire to as Christians – turning away from vengeful thoughts and leaning towards peace and reconciliation (Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God"). Reports of racial disparities within the Greater Manchester Police's operations cannot be taken lightly, but we must also ponder upon Matthew 7:1-2, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." With careful and prayerful consideration, let us discern the right course of action that supports our belief in justice while also retaining the grace bestowed upon us by the Lord. We stand in a world filled with sin and strife, facing issues that are complex and often clouded by human emotions and fallibility. Let's remind ourselves that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world (Ephesians 6:12). Let us pray for our officers, our communities, and our leaders – that they might seek Godly wisdom and strength in carrying out their duties faithfully and righteously. In closing, we must not leap to conclusions, but rather we must stand with those who uphold the law while zealously ensuring that justice is indeed served in a manner that honors God's holy ordinance. Amen.