When it comes to abortion ministry, sometimes “the cause” can overpower the common sense of the abolitionist, with gospel-hindering results.
Ministry to Law Enforcement
Donnie, Matt, and I had a short but profitable time of ministry outside the station. More than a dozen officers received gospel tracts. Sign evangelism and tract distribution outside police stations is an important aspect of my overall street evangelism strategy–one that is approved and encouraged by my pastors.
It Was Just a Facebook Post
I posted the above photo on Facebook, which was taken by an officer with the Moline Police Department. In the photo, Donnie Johnson, Matt Lincoln, and I were standing outside the police station. We are holding “Law Enforcement Lives Matter” signs.
The photo was posted to the Moline PD Facebook page. The result: many other officers and civilians will get to see the signs, which include gospel-related Scripture references and our church’s website.
Deleted Comments
A couple of people with whom I am connected on Facebook left comments on the post of the photo. I don’t know them personally. One commenter asked if I admonished the officers by telling them to start arresting abortion doctors. The other commenter compared the officers to Nazi camp guards. I deleted both comments.
Neither commenter bothered to ask if there were any abortion clinics within the jurisdiction of Moline PD. There are none. The closest abortuary to Moline is 60 miles away.
Neither commenter bothered to ask if any of the officers with Moline PD provide security for abortion clinics, like Nazi death camp workers. They do not. Again, the closest abortuary is 60 miles away.
“The Cause” and Common Sense
Friends: second to the proclamation of the gospel, I believe the abolition of abortion is the societal and cultural issue of our day. As Christians, we should do whatever we can to bring an end to the slaughter of unborn children.
That being understood, let us be careful to not allow “the cause” to overpower our common sense. Reaching lost souls with the gospel, regardless of who they are and where they work, is our primary mission.
Because some officers provide security for abortuaries does not mean all officers do or even would if called upon to do so.
Because some officers may abuse their power and authority (either out of sinful desire or ignorance to the law) when called to an abortuary, it does not mean all officers do so or would, if given the opportunity.
As to admonishing or exhorting officers to arrest abortion doctors: presently (but for maybe a few exceptions due to specific, older municipal codes and ordinances that remain on the books because local governments have not revised or removed certain code sections) the vast majority of officers in the United States have no legal authority to arrest abortionists for murdering unborn children. Oh, how I hope that changes, soon!
Police officers enforce laws–laws that actually exist. It would be an abuse of power, no matter how noble we might think it, to enforce laws that don’t exist.
Presently, if an officer arrests an abortionist for aborting children, charges would not be filed–at least not against the abortionist. However, charges would likely be filed against the officer for making a false arrest. And rightly so.
So, my fellow Christian abortion abolitionists, if/when you admonish officers to arrest abortionists, you run the risk of coming across as shrill, militant, and unreasonable.
The Gospel is More Important
I know; I know; we are not to concern ourselves with pleasing men. But that truth does not give us the license to set aside common sense. It is foolhardy to insist officers make arrests that you and they know cannot be made, based on laws that you and they know do not exist.
Remember: as a Christian, you should want unsaved police officers to repent and believe the gospel. That’s more important than arresting abortionists. That’s certainly more important than illegally arresting abortionists. Don’t let unreasonable rhetoric and presently unachievable demands get in the way of communicating the gospel to those tasked with protecting and serving us.
Balance
Some may think I am simply being a “homer” for the law enforcement community. It’s not true. There are appropriate ways to admonish officers who, under the color of authority, facilitate or condone abortion. I humbly submit the following video as an example:
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