In India, a young man from a reputable college in a cosmopolitan city
found himself in one of life's many dilemmas. Having passed his driving test, he had
approached the local transport officer at the scheduled time to collect his driving
license. "Come tomorrow," came the reply to his question. Three days and many
visits later, the officer asked the young man for Rs. 200. This young man was a Christian.
What was he to do? Questions flooded his mind but the answers did not seem to surface:
"What does the Bible say about bribes? Is this bribery or extortion? What is the
difference? Can it be a tip? What is a tip? Is it legally wrong? Is it spiritually wrong?
Will God punish me? What will my church family say if I give the money? What will happen
if I refuse? Can I get my license any other way? If not, how can I travel? Why is God
putting me in this position? Should I avoid the issue and have my friend pay the money? What
is the right thing to do?"
This young man's choice made a difference for his friends, his church,
the officer, himself, and especially for God. Our fabric of life derives from the freedom
to choose, and the choices that we make weave into our lives patterns of Godliness, or
Godlessness. The only way we can make the right choices is if we first choose to
understand God's truth and wisely submit to its authority. "The fear of the Lord is
the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7)
Wisdom brings life, but foolishness death. Only God's truth can guide the Christian's
choice to make a difference for better, for life (2 Timothy 3:16-17).