Ramesh and the Goddess
Posted by: forthright <forthright@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross
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Hmm, hmm, good. And even better is the right kind
of faith.
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COLUMN: Field Notes
Ramesh and the Goddess
by Michael E. Brooks
"And since we have the same spirit of faith,
according to what is written, 'I believed and
therefore I spoke,' we also believe and therefore
speak" (2 Cor. 3:13).
The difference between mere belief and true saving
faith may be summed up in one word: "therefore."
Genuine faith results in consequences. It causes
us to act. It establishes parameters to our lives.
Because of our faith we do certain things. Because
of our faith we refuse to do other things.
An incident in Kathmandu, Nepal, a few years ago
illustrates this point well.
Ramesh is a young Hindu man who worked part-time
for an American dentist who lives in Kathmandu.
His older sister, Sunita, who had become a
Christian, also worked with the family as a full-
time cook and housekeeper. One day Ramesh finished
his duties about noon and, being hungry, fixed a
piece of meat he found in the refrigerator for his
lunch. He then took it out to where Sunita was
working and sat to eat it.
After taking a bite Ramesh exclaimed, "Sister,
this is good. What is it buffalo?" She answered,
"No, it is beef." (To Hindus the cow is a sacred
animal, whereas the domesticated water buffalo is
not). Hearing this, Ramesh widened his eyes in
shock and said, "Someone killed a goddess?!"
Extending his fork with a piece of beef impaled on
it to arms length he mournfully said, "Oh poor
goddess, I am so sorry someone killed you!" He
then fell silent, and after a moment slowly
lowered the fork to his mouth and took the bite
and ate it, continuing on to finish the piece of
beef. After another pause, he turned to Sunita and
said, "If Dr. Jerry has someone kill another
goddess, would you please save me a piece?"
I am sure that Ramesh still believes that the cow
is sacred, a divine animal. Yet that belief will
never again restrain him from eating beef if he
has the opportunity. He has the belief, but not
the conviction that leads to a "therefore."
James calls this kind of intellectual acceptance
of a concept "demon faith."
"You believe that there is one God? You do well.
Even the demons believe and tremble" (Jas.
2:19).
Genuine faith must be much more that that. It must
lead us to obedience. Jesus taught, "Not everyone
who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter they
kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My
Father in Heaven" (Matt. 7:21).
True faith is obedient trust in God. Nothing else
is sufficient.
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