Briefing: Do you go out of your way to show love while you are at work? Law enforcement is a macho, tough job where you try not to show any kind of weakness. Why do we consider showing love a weakness?

Dispatch (Assignment): I challenge you to review all of your training manuals, policies, procedures and laws to find any mention of love.

On the Street: As stated earlier in our devotional entitled, “The Training Officer”, love is the first attribute Solomon taught his son. Love is the absolute most important character trait we can possess. Love is listed first in the revelation of what the fruit of the Spirit is. Love is the first and most important of the three items listed in 1 Corinthians 13. Paul says that love is, “the most excellent way”. It is like David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8-23). David had a special group of soldiers but of this group there were 3 that were the best of the best. Love is the best of all.

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul.” The second greatest command is like it, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love.

Proverbs 3:3 (NIV), “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Proverbs 10:12 (NIV), “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”

Proverbs 16:6 (HCSB), “Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.”

Proverbs 17:9 (HCSB), “Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.”

Proverbs 17:19 (HCSB), “One who loves to offend loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites injury.”

Proverbs 19:22 (HCSB), “What is desirable in a man is his fidelity; better to be a poor man than a liar.”

Proverbs 20:28 (HCSB), “Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king; through loyalty he maintains his throne.”

Proverbs 21:21 (HCSB), “The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.”

Proverbs 24:17-18 (NIV), “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.” Jesus tells us in Luke 6:27-28 (NIV), “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Proverbs 25:21-22 (NIV), “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”

Do you go to work waiting for an opportunity to attack your enemy? According to God’s Word, we should be looking for an opportunity to minister to him/her. How does this change your outlook on your job? These are the opportunities we have to be different from the world as God has called us to be. I can still do my job, put the bad guys in jail, be a good cop, AND love well.

Investigational Resources: 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 1:9, Mark 12:32-34, Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-36, 1 Corinthians 13, Romans 12: 20

Officer Safety Principle: We are commanded to love. Not just to love those who love us but to love those who hate us. Love well.

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