Show FAITH WITHOUT understanding during this le lenten nten season it is well to think on the teaching deachin t left by the master who taught by word and example how to live we have just finished reading another interesting book by lloyd douglas author of the robe who now gives us the big fisherman which is a recount of experiences of those early followers of the christ many of them including those who were close to him often wondered about this teaching so new arid and untried in those days when cruelty such as we can scarcely beli believe evel could be inflicted was practiced by the leaders andl and when punishment and death brought to a close the ministry I 1 of their beloved master one of the outstanding references to the unusual words and actions of the master who seldom gave any reason to his disciples for things he would do that seemed so strange to many who followed after him appears at the end of chapter 15 as the following conversation occurred thomas argued about the need to have faith without I 1 understanding to which another disciple answered his question cant a man have faith AND understanding by saying no what faith is f for or its for when we cant understand peter then said true because when a man understands lie he need faith A truly great reasoning this was in this day and generation that same kind of faith is necessary as we take into account the unusual happenings which test the courage and try the patience of many who are wondering why so much that is the opposite of good should manifest in their lives those early christians many of whom were also persecuted and put to death for their belief and a desire to serve in accord with the teaching left by the master ma ster did not wavor in their determination to carry on and during the first three or four centuries the same kind of cruelties cruel ties were practiced against those faithful ones again in this day and generation although it may be difficult to understand or to hope for the kind of peace that will come when the old order has run its course and when service to humanity as taught by the master rather than the type of service now being practiced will bring such happiness coall to all who will participate in tm th new form of livin living and the promised kingdom of heaven oni on earth will be realized to practice love for ones lowman fellowman fel to replace the intolerance and hatred now so much in evidence will become as the new order and only then will understanding make faith unnecessary this will bring into being the brotherhood of man the master sought to establish and for which effort he was crucified he also said that all who would follow his teaching would be persecuted but that victory over death even as he proved was possible to experience would be the ultimate reward of all who would be faithful to the end these are thoughts to ponder on during this lenten season of another eventful year |