324 The Despicable Intentions Behind Man’s Belief in God
I
God’s deeds are greater in number
than the grains of sand on the beaches,
and His wisdom surpasses all the sons of Solomon,
yet people merely think of Him as a physician of little account
and an unknown teacher of man.
So many believe in God only that He might heal them.
So many believe in God only that He might use His powers
to drive unclean spirits out from their bodies,
and so many believe in Him simply
that they might receive peace and joy from Him.
So many believe in God only to demand from Him greater material wealth.
So many believe in God just to spend this life in peace
and to be safe and sound in the world to come.
So many believe in God to avoid the suffering of hell
and to receive the blessings of heaven.
II
So many believe in God only for temporary comfort,
yet do not seek to gain anything in the world to come.
When God brought down His fury upon man
and seized all the joy and peace they once possessed,
they became doubtful.
When He gave unto man the suffering of hell
and reclaimed the blessings of heaven,
they flew into a rage,
they flew into a rage.
When man asked God to heal them,
He paid them no heed and felt abhorrence toward them;
man departed from Him
to instead seek the way of evil medicine and sorcery.
When God took away all that man had demanded from Him,
everyone disappeared without a trace.
Thus, God says that man has faith in Him
because He gives too much grace,
and there are far too many benefits to gain,
there are far too many benefits to gain.
from The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. What Do You Know of Faith?