The story goes of 5 seniors in college who are about to graduate. All but
one final is over, and they decide to celebrate Friday night before cramming for
the last final on Monday. But Friday night carries over into Saturday, and on
Sunday they are partied out, too hung over to take the test. In a panic, they
no show the final, then go to see the professor afterwards. They concoct a
story of how they were doing some good deed for a parent, and they had a flat
tire coming back. Unable to get the tire fixed, the spare was bad also, they
only arrived back too late for the final. “Could the professor give them one
more chance?” Things were out of their control, already out of control.
The professor was impressed with the story and granted them a special
session the next day. So off they went to cram, and at the appointed time they
arrived. The professor had each one put into a separate class room alone,
separated from each other. They were each given a book, with the test questions
inside. Then told to open them and begin in 5 minutes. To their surprise, only
one question was in the book, “which tire went flat?” The final was more of a
test than they were prepared for...
School has changed since I attended. Maybe for some it was John Belushi’s
statement on “Animal House,” “7 years of college down the drain.” But we have
come a long way from classrooms, finals, and taking notes. The 7 year students
still exist, but today with so many on line courses, you can graduate in less
the an 4, or even 2. An ad on TV yesterday advised “earn your MBA in less than
6 months,” but did they learn anything? Could they? Even subtracting time for
extracurricular events, you may get a degree, but have you gotten and
education? What have you learned if anything? So when posing a question to a
class I teach, I asked “why do you study for a test?” The answer at first
escaped them, but you study for a test to pass. And soon forget what you have
studied, or learned, and on to the next class. Passing is the most important,
if you happen to learn anything along the way it is an extra bonus. Just don’t
get a flat tire, or get caught in a story about one, if it hasn’t
occurred.
It is never told what happened to these men, they failed at more than the
test. And threw away a college career based on one lie told. Many live a
Christian life like that, living from one test to another. Not the trials or
tests God sends our ways, but weekly tests. “What did you get out of the sermon
today? The study?” “Are you staying on schedule reading through the Bible in a
year?” “Have you read the book for next week’s Bible study?” It seems we are
in education overload, but are we learning anything? Has knowing Jesus been the
best 7 years of our life, or has it been endless study, without relief? What
and when have you applied what you were studying?
Today in many denominations you need a degree, preferably a Master’s, and a
D.D. will get you hired, each one at a higher l pay level. Pity the poor
apostle who would apply for a position today, ask Peter “where did you graduate
from?” “Matthew, where did you get your degree?” “James and John, where did
you brothers go to school?” Only to find they lack in education, only Judas was
educated, in banking, so much for qualifying for ministry. Has all your
studying brought you closer to God? Or is it all head knowledge, with an aching
heart still searching?
We are told to study to find ourselves approved. Sounds important, but to
who? A church or denomination that requires education, or from God who wants
you to be equipped? Are you guided by who you know or what you know? Jesus
told us the spirit will give us words when we need them, do we back up what the
spirit tells us by going to the word? Or do we study, hoping our memories don’t
fail us? do we rely on God or ourselves? The 7 sons of Skeva relied on what
they had heard, and their encounter with a demon possessed man ended in
tragedy. Yet when Peter and John encountered a man who was lame, they declared
“silver and gold have I none, but in the name of Jesus of Nazareth rise up and
walk!” And he did, leaping a praising God! All from two men with no degrees
other than direction from the spirit. A test or trial from God is much
different than a trial or test from man. Divine tests bring glory to God, does
your education? Do you have Master’s degree, or to what extent do you know the
Master? Studying to find yourself approved will not save you, only knowing
Jesus does. Take a look back at where you are in Christ, is something missing?
Is the personal relationship, the Christian experience only an education? Is
your testimony based on years of study, or years of ministry? Do you still ask
“what would Jesus do?” or do you know him well enough you don’t have to ask? If
this had been a test to enter heaven, would you have passed?
God is not fooled, and the professor proves men aren’t always fooled
either. Our walk goes much deeper than the books, the studies, the tests we
have taken. If the world gives you the first degree, will your degree help you
make it? Your final exam, your daily exam may be as simple as showing love to
someone hurting. Giving food or drink to someone hungry. Listening to someone
down and out. Helping them fill out forms. Taking a widow to church. Watching
a child so a single mom can get a break. To what degree do you represent the
things of Christ, or does a degree provide a shallow substitute? If your life
is based on grades, will an 89 matter if it takes a 90 to get into heaven? In
the example, if only the men hadn’t sinned, they would not have needed to lie.
Continuing sin. They thought the professor was showing them mercy, in the end
he had set a trap. And they were the bait. Only Jesus forgives, only Jesus
saves. If only you can remember the simple song of Sunday School, “Jesus loves
me this I know, for the Bible tells me so..” you can pass. You will be found
approved in a simple study, “who is Jesus?” A final exam we will all take
someday.
So are we studying to be approved by man, the church, or God? Your answer
may confuse you, and others, but not God. The final exam for one woman caught
in sin was “go and sin no more.” No quoting of scripture, no final exam of
dissertations, or of classroom studies. She earned her degree in salvation,
when confronted by Jesus. A final exam she would take into eternity. Maybe a 6
month Master’s degree is too long based upon salvation being an instantaneous,
one time event. But we still need to work out our salvation, exercise our life
in Christ daily. Like I was told in rehab, it takes 3 days to make up for each
day lost. And they were right. I was healing, just not healed yet. Are you
saved, or working on salvation?
The only thing you will take into eternity is your relationship with Jesus
Christ. No valuable, no education, no degrees earned. But you will be asked
“what did you do with the gifts I give you? How did you use them for God?” If
the words “well done my good and faithful servant” appeal to you, you have
studied to find yourself approved. All tests are over, you have your degree in
salvation. With no diploma to hang on a wall, as it won’t matter, so will
everyone else there. A heavenly alma mater just waiting for you to graduate.
“Class of ....” Jesus Christ will be all the Pomp and Circumstance you ever
need. Application of your education, we are all waiting to see what you learned
at church today. Oh, and an open book quiz is OK. An open heart to Christ is
better. I wonder, which tire did they say was flat?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com