Briefing: You live for something. Every day, when you get up until the time you go to bed, you live for something. What do you live for?

Dispatch (Assignment): Read Romans 6:1-14.

On the Street: In a previous devotional, we talked about how Jesus took the bullet for us. He died for our sin and now we die for Him. This sounds harsh but by doing this you will receive more joy than you can imagine. Paul calls this a peace that surpasses all understanding. So what do we mean when we say we have to die? We are dying to our selfishness, our pride and ego. We stop doing things our way and start living God’s way. We stop loving our self and begin to love others, we stop worrying about what the world thinks about us and start pleasing God.

How does this look for a law enforcement officer? First off, you are a new creation in Christ. All the old has gone away and the new has come. This is a great promise. You can start fresh today, right now. If you have ever heard, “Our God is a God of second chances”, that is correct but our God is also a God of third, fourth, fifth chances, and so on. Even if you have been a Christian for a long time but found yourself in a place where you have not lived for God, no matter how far you have backslidden. God is ready to give you a new start.

Do not be overwhelmed. God does not expect you to be instantly perfect and sinless. As a matter of fact, He knows that we will continue to struggle with sin as long as we are on this earth, but just like making the choice to give your life to Jesus, He is looking for you to make the choice for Him. When we are faced with daily decisions, we can choose to honor God in those decisions or choose to honor our self-interest. We can put God first, dying to self, or we can put our self first. When we choose the right thing, this is called righteousness.

Dying to our self means stop looking at pornography, it does not glorify God. It means stop getting intoxicated, it does not glorify God. Stop being angry, it does not glorify God. Stop gossiping, lying, hating, refusing to forgive, and start choosing the right things. Live a life that is an example to others. This righteousness becomes part of your living testimony to the world around you. The people you have influence over will begin to see that you are serving something greater than yourself. This is what it looks like to die to yourself. Die to self and live for God. For a lot of us in law enforcement, an easy place to start is our speech. We don’t do a good job of honoring God with the words we use. In my experience, this is an area that can make an immediate impact on others. Be careful, they may even ask why you have stopped cursing. Be ready to explain the reason. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15.

Investigational Resources: Philippians 4:4-9, read the story of Jonah. He was a man in need of a second, third, and so on, chance.

Officer Safety Principle: Jesus has your back, He will watch over you. Trust Him.

from The Book of Romans Through the Eyes of a Cop
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
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