Words of Hope…
Christ foresaw that people would exalt human authority to rule over the conscience. In all ages this has been a terrible a curse. As an appeal to future generations, the Bible recorded His warnings not to follow blind leaders.
The Roman Church teaches that only her clergy have the right to
interpret the Scriptures. Though the Reformation gave the Scriptures
to everyone, yet the same principle that Rome held prevents multitudes
in Protestant churches from searching the Bible for themselves. They are taught to accept its teachings as interpreted by the church.
Thousands do not dare to accept anything, no matter how plain it is
in Scripture, that is contrary to their creed.
Many are ready to commit their eternal destiny to the clergy.
They pay almost no attention to the Savior’s teachings. But are
ministers infallible? How can we trust them to guide us unless we
know from God’s Word that they are light-bearers? A lack of moral
courage leads many to follow educated people, and they become
hopelessly attached to error. They see the truth for this time in the
Bible and feel the power of the Holy Spirit accompany the giving of
it, yet they allow the clergy to turn them from the light.
Satan keeps many of his followers by attaching them with silken
cords of affection to those who are enemies of the cross of Christ.
This attachment may be to parents, brothers or sisters, husband or
wife, or friends. Under their influence, many people do not have the
courage to obey their convictions of what is right.
Many claim that it makes no difference what one believes, if that
person lives the right life. But the life is molded by the faith. If truth is within reach and we neglect it, we are really rejecting it, choosing darkness rather than light.
Ignorance is no excuse for error or sin when we have every
opportunity to know the will of God. A man who is traveling comes
to a place where there are several roads and a signpost telling where
each one leads. If he ignores the sign and takes whatever road seems
to be right, he may be sincere, but he is likely to find himself on the wrong road.
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Source: Ellen G. White, The Great Hope, pp. 55, 56