Lawfulness and Respect: One Major Lesson From the Headlines

On the heels of the Ferguson riots, New York City is under a wave of protest after the death of Eric Garner. Garner was killed by a policemen in an altercation. According to the police, they approached Garner because he was selling unlicensed cigarettes, and he resisted arrest. They noted that Garner’s rap sheet listed 31 arrests, beginning when he was 16. Nine of those arrests were for the same thing, for selling cigarettes unlicensed.

A common thread I've seen in news talk shows about the case is that people are saying how crazy it is that this man was arrested for a very minor law, selling cigarettes unlicensed. It is sad that a man died over such a thing, but we have to ask: Are laws ever too "minor" to enforce? Without making a judgment on whether the police action was justified or not, can we learn anything from this?

Not long ago, I was pulled over on a street close to where I live for exceeding the 25 mph speed limit. I didn't yell at the officer or throw a temper tantrum or complain to him about how stupid the speed limit was. I felt it wise to show respect and tell him I was sorry for breaking that law. I was grateful that the police officer handed me a warning instead of a ticket. It could have been different had my attitude been hostile.

I'll be honest: I think it really is totally stupid to have 25 mph speed limit on that street. But even though I might not agree with the law, and even though it might be a "minor" law, I am still required to obey that law. God requires me as a Christian to obey the laws of the land and to respect those in authority as long as those laws do not cause me to break His laws.

Paul wrote in Romans 13:1-5: "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience" (New International Version)

Years ago my daughter Michelle had a schoolmate who died in a car accident. I still remember the horror on his parents' faces at his funeral as they tried to come to grips with the death of their son. It could have all been avoided had he obeyed the speed limit, a "minor" law. I wrote about this painful story in my article "Broken Laws, Broken Dreams."

Can you imagine the different outcome if this young man had obeyed the law? What if both men in Ferguson and New York City had different responses to the police officers? We'll never know for sure, but perhaps if laws had not been broken and respect was shown they would still be alive today. Let's do our best to honor God by showing respect to those who rule over us and by obeying the laws of the land. This is for our good!