I sometimes think I was born 30 years too soon…
You might take for granted the tremendous equipment at your disposal. Back in the 70′s and 80′s we had no dashcams, no PTB’s, no digital cameras or TASERs. No MDT’s or digital micro-recorders. Those old micro-cassette recorders that always ate the tape from those annoying little cassettes were the latest thing…
Imagine doing police work with just a pistol and a 26″ second grove hardwood hickory nightstick. All we had for extras was a 12 gauge with some .00 buck and a portable radio about the size of a carton of cigarettes… Our vests were bulky and much hotter, and they were only half as effective. Our radars were mono-directional and made our squads look like lunar landing modules with a huge cone-shaped object hanging from the rear side window! So much for stealth…
Most progressive agencies today make a commendable effort to equip their officers with the best tools for the job. But all the technology in the world will not prepare you, as an officer, for that which we all try not to think about: being called upon to give our very life in the line of duty.
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: – Hebrews 9:27
People in law enforcement tend to “play very close to the edge.” They almost flirt with death. How much thought do you give to your eternal destiny? Are you depending upon the teachings or traditions of a church or a “belief system” to tell you where you will go after you die?
Maybe you’re depending upon what people write in their “reflections” on the Officer Down webpage to be correct theology. Sorry. God will not look at you and let you into Heaven just because you were a cop. You haven’t “done your time in hell” on the streets. Besides, nobody earns their way into Heaven by first spending time in Hell. That myth is not found anywhere in the Bible.
Why not go to the Source of Truth, God’s Word. Have you ever read for yourself what the Bible says?
When asked about it, most people boast about being “comfortable” with where they think they’re going and they quickly want to change the subject… So many have based their “beliefs” upon traditions or vague emotional memories of Sunday School stories about Heaven without giving it any thought that the Bible itself says the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God, and that there are none righteous; no, not one!
What makes a person “unrighteous?”
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
That means that if you have ever stolen anything, told a single lie, or have even just been drunk, then you are unrighteous in God’s sight and you do not merit entry into Heaven.
The Bitter Truth
The Bible also says that many will be utterly and tragically shocked when they stand before a Holy God in judgment. They will try to plead their case, citing their lifetime occupation, church attendance, good deeds, religious activity and spiritual abilities, and even their baptism and sacraments as reasons why they should be allowed into Heaven. But read what God says about that:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” – Matthew 7:21-23
The Hope!
You say, “Man! You’ve painted an awfully bleak picture! How can there be any hope?” There is all the hope in the world. Notice the last verse of that passage where Jesus says, “I never knew you…”
Being religious is no substitute for having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you have that personal relationship He is talking about? Does He know you in a personal way, or do you just know about Him?
SWAT teams always prepare themselves for their take-downs. They don’t rush into a situation until they are ready. Imagine if they just waited until they got the call, met at the scene, and then charged into a sitution without any type of preparation or intel. It just doesn’t happen that way. Nor should your entry into eternity.
Let me encourage you to Click Here to find out how you can be ready for that day when you will stand before the Lord and give an acount! Then, if you have any questions, you can email or give me a call at any time.
24/7 Toll-Free: 1-866-336-9030
Email: tsherman26@yahoo.com