The sign of a true believer

The sign of a true believer

1993 10 October 15-16 The sign of a true believer (366) People, looking at objects, become entangled in mere things and so stop right there. The true believer, however, is one who passes beyond things and reaches God.

A fruit falling from a tree is an event that everyone has witnessed. But one who has seen in this phenomenon the force of gravity is an Issac Newton. Matter has been observed by everyone, but one who has seen in matter the motion of electrons is a Michael Faraday. Particles are everywhere and can be seen by everyone, but one who has seen nuclear energy within them is an Albert Einstein. In like manner, everyone has seen the world, but the one who sees God in it – he is the true believer.

A parallel example is to be found in the New Testament: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, we have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented (Matthew; 11:15-17).

The ‘piping’ of God in this world, which perennially goes on, is for man to listen to and become thrilled, to begin dancing to and become happy. But the very sound of God’s piping leaves man unmoved and ignorant. God makes things manifest in this world such as man should gaze on and tremble; on beholding them, his eyes should fill with tears. Yet so great is the contumacy of man that matters of earth-shattering import do not make him shudder; events of the greatest poignancy do not serve to bring tears to his eyes.

What is required of man is that he should acknowledge the divinity of God. But man is not ready to do this. Today, man can extricate himself from the worst of dilemmas by the mere uttering of a word, but there will come a day when he will not be able to escape, even if he offers the whole world as ransom. Consider the difference between man’s condition today and the state in which he will find himself tomorrow. And tomorrow is nearer than we think.