A Half-Truth Is Still a Whole Lie!

Some time ago, before we even moved to Colorado, my wife and I were watching one of those television newsmagazines about a Colorado police officer who was fired for insubordination. The controversy that followed was over the fact that he wore a pin on his police uniform in the form of a cross. He wanted to visually acknowledge his Christianity, despite the fact that when he was hired, the guidelines stipulated that no pins or emblems of any kind were to be worn in plain sight without first getting written permission. He truly felt that as a Christian, he had a right to disobey because it was for a higher purpose. He disobeyed the guidelines, was fired, and is now claiming religious persecution and violation of freedom of speech under the first amendment.

On the surface, this looks pretty cut and dry, especially if you’re a Christian; but think about seriously, it isn’t. He wasn’t asked to denounce his faith or denounce Christ. He was asked to do anything immoral that would go against the law of God. But, this controversy divided a whole community, both religious and secular; it made national headlines, found a place on a national newsmagazine and stirred up controversy nationwide! Satan must be happy! First of all, it was obvious listening to this man’s interview that he is a God-fearing Christian, but it is also obvious that there is a lack of understanding and teaching concerning one’s testimony before others. This lack is becoming much more obvious, and especially all over the U.S. today. The real problem is that anyone can wear a symbol or say they are something; if being honest with ourselves we all know that doesn’t necessarily make it so. If you were to take a poll though, of Christians, concerning this subject today, you would get the same division as in that small Colorado town.