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A Biblical Plan For Law And Order

by John Clark 
09/27/20
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Lawlessness abounds. Things have gotten fully out of control. Why? Society has not lived by the principles of God’s inspired Holy Bible, which is actually quite relevant for today, as you will see as you read through this article.

     God’s plan for law and order begins in Genesis 4. This is a recorded account of domestic violence when Cain killed his brother Abel. God asked Cain, “Why are you angry?...sin is crouching at your door, and it’s desire is for you, but you must master it.” Not much is said about why Cain was angry. The emphasis is placed on anger not being mastered and allowing it to   control one’s mind and heart, leading to hatred and even murder.

     This Genesis account also strongly implies taking responsibility for one’s attitudes and actions.

     Ephesians 4:26 further adds to “...not let the sun go down upon your anger.” This means to not allow an angry spirit to carry over from day to day.

     So, the first principle is to deal with one’s anger from the very beginning.

     The second element in God’s plan for law and order is found in Ecclesiastes 8:11. “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.” Evil deeds need to be dealt with promptly or they will lead to more evil. The fact that, in America at least, months or sometimes even years pass before a criminal is sentenced is self-defeating. 

     Destructive rioting needs to be “nipped in the bud.” The very first rioter to throw a rock, or loot a store, or light a match, needs to be arrested right then and there, so that others get a clear message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. If evil is given an inch, it will take a mile.

     However, God knew that there would be evil in the world. As a result, one of the reasons for God-ordained government is to maintain peace and safety. Romans 13:3-4 says, “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same, for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword for nothing, for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.“

     The next piece in God‘s law and order plan book is manual labor, which can apply to looting, as stated in Ephesians 4:28. “Let him who steals steal no longer, but rather let him labor, performing with his hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need.” What if all the rioters were automatically sentenced to manual labor, making them rebuild what they have destroyed?

     Another principle of God’s plan for law and order is self-defense. In Luke 11:21-22 we read these words: “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own homestead, his possessions are undisturbed, but when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away all his armor on which he had relied...” The application of this verse for today would be gun ownership.

     The final point of God’s plan for law and order is to have the moral law of God residing in one’s heart and soul. Romans 2:15 says “...the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.” Notice the word “conscience.” That is something that many people no longer have today. With the law abiding in people’s hearts they will know what is good, moral, and just. This can only happen, however, with a transformation of human nature from the inside out by the grace and power of God. Then people will choose to love and not hate,  to come together to talk and not destroy, and to do whatever depends upon them, and within their power, to live with others in peace (Romans 12:18).

    A transformation of the human heart can come from making a personal commitment to one’s creator and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, God in human flesh. He died for each person’s sins, and rose from the dead. He offers forgiveness for the past, hope for the future, and power to live a transformed life.