Commitment, The Fruit of Literacy

“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Genesis 39:9

These are the words of Joseph when confronted with a decision to do that which was not right, that which was against God’s words. Joseph turns away because of his commitment to God. Joseph recognized the grace of God that had been given to him.

When he was about 17 years old, he was thrown into a pit by his brothers, with the intention of killing him. Ishmaelites came by and purchased Joseph, selling him into slavery in Egypt. While living in Pharaoh’s house, working for the captain of the guard, the Bible says that the “Lord was with Joseph.” Through his experiences, he developed a deep relationship with God, evident in his life. Many years later, Joseph is reacquainted with his brothers and says, “you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.” As difficult situations reigned down on Joseph, God was with him, orchestrating events, blessing him.

Joseph knew, without a shadow of doubt, God was with him. With God’s presence, Joseph was committed to God, so when confronted with a decision, the decision had already been made. He chose obedience. God and His Word drove his decision making.

My prayer for my kids is that they would have a “Biblical worldview.” In order to have this worldview, they must know the Bible, not just the great stories of Noah, Moses, and Jonah, but the deep truths that can only come from personally digging into God’s Word. Only standing on this truth will they be able to withstand the twists and turns of the latest thinking in culture. When confronted with situations, decisions, the Word of God will be used as the filter. Mistakes and bad decisions will, of course, happen, but perhaps mistakes offer the greatest value of knowing the Bible, an understanding of the deep grace and love of God. Knowing His grace compels one to generously offer grace to oneself and others.

In the parable of the seeds, Jesus speaks of the value of knowing the Bible. In the story, the seed that Jesus speaks of is the Bible, the word of God.

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:18-23

These verses show the value of knowing God’s Word. When one hears and understands the Bible, they are able to withstand “trouble, persecution, the worries of life and the deceitfulness of wealth,” all which will come in life. God’s word is a lifeline.

Yesterday, I was again moved by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fighting for civil rights, as I watched and listened to a few of his interviews and speeches. He was an amazing leader with a rock solid foundation of the Word of God that comes out as he fought, spoke, and led. Dr. King had a surety, a rock solid faith, that gave him the ability to withstand “trouble and persecution.” Amazing man, amazing leader, amazing man of God, and a picture of the value of having a Biblical worldview. Dr. King was indeed “one who produced a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

For me, like a lot in the South I suppose, I grew up hearing the stories of God and Jesus. I had always heard the value of reading God’s word daily, but never applied it. One day, I made the decision to read God’s Word daily. I felt as if scales were ripped from my eyes as I read about the grace and love of God, the life of Jesus on earth, and his disciples. I was confronted with the truth of His word versus the lies of culture. I would have never known the difference outside of personally digging into the Bible. The water, the grey areas of society, were too mirky.

“Lord, make my way prosperous, not that I achieve high station, but that my life be an exhibit to the value of knowing God.”, Jim Elliot, a missionary who lost his life in Ecuador.

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