It’s Sinful to Assume The Worst

Today’s reading: Ephesians 4:31– 5:2

I’ve been fixated on my television for hours now. I fell asleep well after midnight with it turned on as news was breaking that The Boston Marathon bombers had been in a shootout with police.

Well, I say I fell asleep. Actually, my brain kept one-eye tuned to the news until my alarm went off. I even dreamed that all of this was happening in my own city, that outside my window police were driving to a gun fight  in an endless, speeding convoy.

As of this writing, one bomber and one policeman are dead. The other bomber(s)  are on the run. Boston officials have instituted martial law in hopes of making the man-hunt as easy and safe as possible. The story is captivating. It has caused me much trouble getting started on all the work God has put before me today (including this article).

But I finally turned the TV off after I heard a reporter utter these ridiculous words in defense of Boston police who are being accused of treating innocent citizens rather harshly this morning:

“In this kind of situation, you have to assume the worst.”

No!

No one ever has to assume the worst.  In fact, since God is always on the side of The Best, I dare say it’s a sin to assume the worst!

This is reminds me of a debate I have had many times with friends who work in law enforcement. These people all tend to be light-hearted, jovial and fun when not at work, but, on the job, they adopt a troubling demeanor.

Why, I ask, do you tend to scowl so much when wearing your uniform?

Because we’re trained that way, they say. We have to assume that everyone we meet while in uniform is a potential criminal wanting to do us harm. It’s a matter of safety. We have to always be ready for an attack.

How many times have you been attacked by a random person just walking down the street? I ask.

And the answer is always none.

Several of these friends have gone on to admit that they have drawn their weapons only two or three times in their decades-long careers. One guy even told me he has never pulled out his gun.

So does a policeman really have to to assume the worst? Of course not.  No one does.

Today’s reading, meanwhile, tells us what we really must do:

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love.” (Verses 4:31 – 5:1)

I know it is possible to do this, even in the face of evil. Isn’t that the example Jesus set as he was being tortured upon upon the cross?  I’ll borrow a popular wise crack phrase and ask, how’s that working out for Him?

Thanks be to God for mankind’s capacity to love even those who would do us harm. May I (and we) always remember we have it.