BY HUGH FULFORD ─ Simply and directly stated, my world view (the way I see our world and its inhabitants) is shaped by the Bible. I sincerely and devoutly believe that the Bible is the very word of Almighty God Himself. As such, I believe it is authoritative in all areas of life, enduring, unchanging, eternally relevant (never becomes out of date), not subject to addition, subtraction, amendment, accommodation, or adjustment to culture and the ever changing views of an ever changing world.
A number of statements in Psalm 119 form the basis of how I view the word of God and therefore of how I view the world of mankind. I call attention to several verses from this marvelous Psalm (indicated in parenthesis following the quotation) and say unabashedly that I believe every one of these statements. They, along with numerous other Bible passages, are the lens through which I view the world and by which I endeavor to live my life. Read the following verses reflectively. Think seriously about what they say. Let their truth soak into your mind and heart.
“You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently” (4).
“Your word I have hidden (laid up) in my heart that I might not sin against You” (11).
“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law” (18).
“You rebuke the proud—the cursed, who stray from Your commandments” (21).
“Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness” (36).
“Indignation has taken hold of me because of the wicked who forsake Your law” (53).
“You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words. I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; be merciful to me according to Your word. I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies” (57-59).
“Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments” (66).
“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (89).
“I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life” (93).
“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (97).
“How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (103-104).
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (105).
“You reject those who stray from Your statutes, for their deceit is falsehood” (118).
“Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way” (128).
“The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple (the uninstructed/the uninformed)” (130).
“Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law” (136).
“Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it” (140).
“I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word. My eyes are awake though the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word” (148).
“Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes” (155).
“I see the treacherous, and am disgusted, because they do not keep Your word” (158).
“The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of your righteous judgments endures forever” (160).
“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (165).
“My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness” (172).
“I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight” (174).
The New Testament writers corroborate what the Psalmist penned in the passages above. The apostle Paul declared: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God…Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:18, 25). He affirmed: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Peter wrote that God’s “divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).
These and many other passages of sacred scripture are (and have been for many years) the basis on which I view our world and have endeavored to live my life. The Bible shapes my view of how the universe and earth came into existence, how it is sustained and continues, and how it will ultimately end. The Scriptures form my concept of how I should live, my ethics, my morals, my values, my religious views and convictions, my political views, my view of family life, how I do business, and how I treat my fellow man. They shape my view of marriage and family life, how I receive God’s grace and salvation from sin, why and how I worship the way I do, and the way I view life after death. I have sought to make the Bible the polar star for my life and my view of the world in all aspects.
Because the Bible shapes my world view, I see all accountable people on earth as being in just one of two states: either in the kingdom of God or in the kingdom of Satan, either in God’s church or still bound by the standards of the world (1 John 5:19). The Scriptures determine my view of what one must do to be saved from sin and adopted in the spiritual family of God, the church of the Lord, the kingdom of God’s dear Son. The Bible sets forth just two roads to travel and only two destinies to reach at the end of life’s journey (Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 25:46). This is an integral and significant aspect of my world view.
Is my world view simple? Yes! Is it right? I have not the slightest doubt about it whatsoever! I invite you to investigate it for yourself and to adopt it as your world view. If you will live in harmony with it, you will never regret it.
Hugh Fulford
February 13, 2024
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