KNOWING SCRIPTURE TO SAVE YOUR LIFE
Several years ago in Guatemala, a young Christian named Paulos had been arrested with a gang of robbers. In that place and in those days, anyone suspected of a crime, was immediately taken to an open field, ordered to dig a hole, and then toppled into the hole he had dug by the bullets of a firing squad.
As Paulos walked to his doom, he tried to think what to do to escape. He prayed. And he felt the little NT in his pocket. He loved that book, and he loved the One who wrote it. He began every day with it, reading and memorizing some verses. It made him feel not quite alone to have God’s Word with him especially now. Somehow he must speak to the officer in charge. There must be a way to tell him.
"I’m not a thief," he told the officer. "I am a Christian."
"Oh, no you aren’t," the officer said. "You are a criminal, or you wouldn’t have been with those other thieves."
"They aren’t my friends," Paulos answered. "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m a Christian and I don’t get mixed up in such things. See, here’s my NT right in my pocket."
"You’re lying. You don’t know anything about the Bible," the officer said.
"Yes, I do," Paulos replied. "I can recite several verses."
"I don’t believe you,” said the officer. "Stand there and let me hear you repeat some verses from the Bible."
Paulos cleared his throat and started in. He repeated several verses and gave the references. He said the verses without mistake. The officer listened in amazement. When Paulos finished, the officer said, "I am convinced you are not a thief. You may go." Knowing God’s word by heart saved Paulos’ life.
How about us? Could we quote enough Scripture to save our lives?