*Based on Daniel 1:6-20
Daniel the Hebrew teenager found himself in a bad situation. He was basically a prisoner forced into a new way of life at the Kings palace. Easily, he could have focused on circumstances that would have distracted him from being the man God wanted him to be. Instead he clung to God’s way. Scripture was instilled in him from his childhood and the Lord’s teachings were a part of his DNA. Even though he did not attempt to force God’s way upon the other Hebrew young men, he showed them God’s way by example even when it was not convenient.
Holding tight to one’s convictions can be difficult in the world we live in today. For Daniel, it almost resulted in death on more than one occasion. Our convictions must be Bible based convictions. His Word is our sole source for Godly direction in life. Take a look at these key components of “Biblical conviction” as found on http://www.bible.org/:
That is what Daniel had; the courage to act on those convictions. He intentionally set out to honor God when the culture around him failed to do so. It is very often the case that people who hold tight to biblical convictions, and show others God’s way will not be held in high esteem. Many of the prophets probably lived a lonely life. Some were ignored and even had their lives threatened. So my question is who among us will choose to be a light in the darkness when our culture fails to honor God?Now, what exactly is meant by a commitment to Scripture? May I suggest that this includes at least three things:
1. Recognition of Scripture as inspired and thus inerrant and the final word. The Bible becomes our index (2 Pet. 1:20-21; 2 Tim 3:16).
2. Commitment to Scripture as our standard for thinking. Everyone has convictions, but are they biblical convictions? We must use the Word to filter everything that comes into our minds so we can bring every thought captive to the standard of Scripture. If, after careful study, they fit with the truth of Scripture, they are then qualified to be called biblical convictions. This means Scripture always takes
priority over our opinions, experiences, and background. When we fail to do this we adulterate or pollute the Word and weaken its impact on our lives. A wrong understanding of Scripture will eventually necessitate wrong behavior. In other words, by the wrong approach, we can negate its authority over us (Mark 7:13; 4:23; Luke 8:18; 2 Tim. 1:13-14; 3:14; 1 Tim. 6:20; 4:6; 1:3, 11).
3. Commitment to Scripture means a commitment to excellence in its study, use, and application. This means being careful students who seek to rightly handle the Word (2 Tim. 2:15). The higher our view of the Bible, the more painstaking and conscientious our commitment and study should be. If the Bible is the Word of God, then away with slovenly, slipshod exegesis and application; away with that tendency to insert our opinions on the text; away with ignoring the text and assuming our ideas are correct without carefully studying the Word until it yields up its spiritual
treasures (2 Tim. 2:14-19).Thus, we have three responsibilities: (1) a commitment to Scripture, (2) the construction of biblical convictions, and (3) the courage to act on those convictions.
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