Nothing Replaces The Original ... Accept No Substitutes
Allow me to present this thought-provoking scenario. Envision a class of about 50 medical students who have an outstanding professor who is an unprecedented leader in the field of medicine. He walks head and shoulders above the rest. His area of expertise is vast and his credentials are extensive. Therefore, because his standards are high, he tends to raise the bar a notch or two above the others. He expects this same level of excellence from his young students because he requires them to be a valuable asset to society and be instrumental in healing humanity. Upon graduation he intends to put them in charge of his hospital.
Shortly after the academic year begins, he is unexpectedly called away for a period of time. He assures his class that even in his absence they will continue to excel as long as they diligently study the specific textbooks and materials which he has assigned them for their curriculum. He warns them not to deviate because the final exam will be graded and based solely on these particular books, regardless of what anyone else tells them.
Because his absence becomes extended, various substitute teachers are hired to oversee his class. Even though they have studied under this same professor, their values, their convictions and their expertise are vastly inferior. Most do not possess his mark of excellence and begin to lessen the academic standards. They allow the students to ignore vast sections of these medical books, especially the parts that are too difficult to understand. They noticeably undercut the original professor´s authority by stating that many chapters are not relevant and they begin to teach from substitute books and convey medical practices based on their own opinions and philosophies. They tell the students that they don´t have to accept anything that does not line up with their own personal belief system. Some actually encourage them to change the procedures which they don´t like. They insinuate that everybody will be able to pass the final exam with very little effort and they assure everyone that there is no need to cram because it is a long way off.
Since the curriculum became so watered-down some of the more serious students became frustrated and disillusioned. Others start to skip class. Some simply drop out. Most become totally confused about the medical profession.
Unexpectedly, one day the professor returns ready to administer the final exam. Since it was based on his original edict, 90% of the class was not able to make the grade and subsequently failed. The astonished students, who had been hoping for an easy degree, appealed to the Dean of the University claiming that it was totally unfair because they had been unduly influenced by the erroneous notions of the substitute teachers. The dean rightly upheld the verdict by simply stating, "Did the professor not inform you right from the start what the guidelines were? Did he not warn you that the exam would be based upon the original mandate? It is too late. There is nothing I can do."
By now I think you´ve figured out the essence of my scenario. It is a modern day parable. The professor is Jesus. Upon His departure He left us our most essential instruction manual. It states that there is ´only one way and only one truth´. Since His departure many teachers, prophets and liberal theologians have come in with their watered-down versions of the gospel. They have perverted and substituted vast sections creating their own religions which teach that everyone will get to heaven and make the final grade. The horrific reality is that their students are not going to pass the final exam. On that day, God, weeping and with a broken heart will say, "Why did you not listen to my Son? Why did you not read His book?"
There is a strong possibility that you have been mislead. So, if you are serious about spending eternity with God, "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightfully dividing the word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15)
Copyright Donna Martonfi www.psalm40ministries.com
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