19-year-old Jacob Kersey was a young police officer who loved the Lord and wasn’t ashamed to proclaim the name of Jesus.
While he was off-duty – he posted on Facebook supporting traditional marriage.
But when his police department found out that Jacob had spoken out against same-sex marriage – they suspended him – and you won’t believe what happened next.
First, his supervisor told him someone had complained about his post and he would need to remove it.
Jacob knew he didn’t do anything wrong and refused to remove the post.
Faithwire reports:
“The ex-cop said he was then told the situation could lead to his termination. Kersey also claims he was advised to remember the “separation of church and state” — something that stunned him.
“That’s a terrible misunderstanding of what separation of truth and state means,” he said. “It wasn’t like I was on a traffic stop … I wasn’t handing out Gospel tracks. This was when I was off-duty on my Facebook page.”
But despite the pressure and threats of termination – Jacob would not remove his post.
And instead of simply accepting Jacob’s freedom to post about his faith on his own time – his supervisor pushed the “concern” up the chain of command.
Faithwire continues:
“A few minutes later, my major called and told me to turn in everything that belongs to the city,” Kersey said, noting he thought he was fired at that point. “So, I pack up everything, I go in the next morning, turn in everything, give them the keys to my patrol car, park it in the back, go inside.”
When Jacob’s post made its way up to the police chief, the chief made a comment that his post on traditional marriage was the same as using a racist remark.
Jacob was stunned, and while he loved his job and had never been in trouble before – he couldn’t believe what was happening.
As it turns out, the department put him on administrative leave while they “investigated” his social media posts to see if they had grounds to terminate him.
Of course, they didn’t – but they did tell him that going forward he could only post the actual Scripture – and that if he ever commented or stated his own opinion outside of the Bible verse – then he’d be fired.
It was in that moment, Jacob knew he had to take a stand for Christ.
As a Christian, there is nothing wrong or hateful about saying marriage is between a man and woman.
After all, that is God’s design, despite what the world thinks.
Can you imagine the outrage from LGBT activists if a police department told someone who supports same-sex marriage they “weren’t allowed to”?!
There would be riots in the streets.
Yet when a young Christian shares his beliefs, they try to silence him.
Jacob didn’t feel his department had his back and he couldn’t believe they would try and censor him during his own free time.
Knowing he could face termination if he expressed his Christian views, Jacob decided to resign.
Faithwire continued:
“I just looked at the whole situation and said, ‘Law enforcement is a dangerous job to begin. My command staff has equated me to the most horrific kind of racist. They’re telling me that they’re going to fire me if I don’t abide by this new policy. If I express my Christian beliefs again, they’re going to fire me,’” he said.
Kersey continued, “I just thought, with the nature of the job, it’s not fair to … go back … when my command staff doesn’t have my back.”
While it’s sad Jacob had to leave the job he loved – cheers to him for standing strong and holding true to his Christian beliefs.
The world will always try and convince Christians to compromise their beliefs – but Jacob refused – and suffered because of it.
As it turns out, there are many professionals, especially in law enforcement, who are not ashamed of their Christian values or the Gospel – and they also refuse to back down.
What the world needs is the light of Jesus – and we know as Christians, despite the enemy’s best attempt, the Gospel can never be snuffed out.
Do you think Jacob made the right decision in resigning from his job?
What are your thoughts on the police department trying to limit Jacob voicing his Christian beliefs?
You can post your answers to our Facebook page and join in the conversation with other believers from all around the world.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
To stay current on the latest Christian Life Daily stories, follow us on Facebook and be sure to like and share our posts!