The law enforcement, the courts and the correctional system all have very specific
functions in the lives of all people. We as a people and as an individual cannot portray ourselves
and our beliefs as self-righteous. Our faith and beliefs cannot be forced on others. Faith is
something that has to be accepted and believed by a person or a group of people but truth faith
cannot be forced on others. In Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the
conviction of things not seen.” This passage from Hebrews is often used a definition of faith and
it deals with the function of faith in relationship to the covenant of God. The evidence for
conviction is a powerful example describing faith. Faith can be considered a tool to learn more
about God and to draw closer to God and to grow in God. To have true faith is to live your life
without compromise and to be grounded in your principles for living. If blessed your faithful life
will be an inspiration to others and your can share and spread your faith. Law enforcement would
respond to situations as needed such as capturing escaped slaves. “All crimes are sins, but all sins
are not crimes.” (Fischer 2016). Slavery is wrong and should not be exploited. The slave codes
held slaves responsible for their crimes and other acts that were not really crimes, if committed
by someone considered a free human being. Fischer states “But we do not let evil doers exploit
us and others.” (Fisher 2016).
The court system in America is structured and is not simple, there are state court systems,
federal court systems which both contain many divisions. The purpose of the courts is to uphold
justice. Court system should protect the innocent and bring justice for all. All crimes are
violations of are inalienable rights. The due process of law prevents violation of a defendants’
constitutional rights. Another purpose of our court system is to provide a forum where disputes
can be resolved justly and peacefully without outside interference. We all have the right for free
will. We can make a decision on what we feel is right to do or we can decide to do something
that is wrong. We then have to be prepared to accept the consequences for our actions. “The
Adamic Covenant is in relation with being given free will” (Fisher 2016). Genesis 2:17 said “but
from the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it
you will surely die.” Adam and Eve were held accountable for their actions. It is important to
care for one another and go the extra mile to take care of one another. Love your neighbor as
yourself. There is mutual accountability. “Use of a constitution for the Israelites was described in
Deuteronomy which were good ideas to help society exist as it should be” (Fisher 2016). Also
inalienable or unalienable rights are mentioned in the Declaration of Independence which refers
to rights that cannot be given or taken away.
Finally the correctional system has evolved over the years, the facilities today are
supermax, medium security and low security facilities. I don’t think a person who committed a
nonviolent crime like breaking in to drink machines should serve their time incarcerated with
criminals that commit murder. So I am glad to see there is separation of the different degrees of
criminal offenses. “The Noahic covenant relates with the need for government and capital
punishment” (Fisher 2016). “He that sheds mans’ blood by man must his to be shed” (Genesis
9:6). There is a difference between killing someone and murdering someone. When someone
kills someone that can be to protect yourself, a loved one, or a stranger that needs help to defend
themselves. If the killing is known for a cold blooded selfish reason then that is considered
murder. When murder is involved there is no self defense or protection of someone involved.
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I
will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be
my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33). Hopefully when men are in prison they can get some form of
rehabilitation. If the people who are in prisons will open their minds and hearts as in Jeremiah
31:33 the Lord will replace wrong thinking with a new found wisdom. “Laws don’t remove evil
but restrain evil but self-governing through Jesus Christ the more freedom we possess.” (Fischer
2016).
