Don’t be fooled by substitutes. On a recent trip to New York, I texted a friend to ask where he had gotten the delicious New York Cheese Cake that he once had shipped to his house more than ten years ago. This was the most marvelous cheese cake, the best I had ever had… just the right velvety consistency, the perfect crust, with just the right sweetness. This was one of those tastes that once you have had it you don’t want to waste your time being disappointed by any other cheese cake. My friend said, “Carnegie Deli.” He said they had been closed for a few years but had just re-opened. We had a little over an hour before meeting our daughter and son-in-law. So, we started walking toward the Carnegie Hall area. We were glad to stretch our legs after the flight and long uber ride to the hotel. As we walked, we noticed another restaurant with Carnegie in the name, thinking this must be the place. So, we stopped in and ordered. We were a little disappointed with the food and the service, but we were waiting for the cheese cake to come out. We took the first bite and we were so disappointed. At that moment, I felt so foolish. This restaurant had Carnegie in the name and it was in the same area, but the quality was far from the expectation. It felt like the restaurant version of one of those kiosks that sell knock off watches, sunglasses, purses, etc… After looking at Google maps we realized we were a few blocks from the real, actual Carnegie Deli. Though we were kinda full, we were determined to have some of the Big Apple’s finest dessert that I had tasted and craved from years ago. We walked in and saw the cheese cake in the display case and instantly knew it was the real McCoy. We quickly ordered a piece with some coffee and “WOW,” it did not disappoint. We walked back to the hotel, our tummies were overfull, but we were determined to be a bit more discerning.
The apostle Paul was warning those in the early church not to be fooled by a knock-off Gospel. There were versions of the Good News being shared that sounded almost right, but it was not the real thing. Many false religions require people to follow a set of rules or do enough good things in order to be accepted by their deity. The Good News is that only Jesus can save us, because we are not capable of being good enough morally or doing enough works of goodness to make ourselves presentable to The One and Only God of the Universe. Knock-off religions are much more dangerous than a knock-off cheese cake. Fake good news has eternal consequences. Paul says, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:6-8 NIV) Don’t be fooled by religious alternatives to the real, actual Gospel of God’s grace and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Hang in there people. God is glad to be with us. I’m praying for us all.
