Does God need to test our faith?
Does He really want to test our loyalty?
If God is omniscient and all-knowing, then he already knows our capacity and limitations.
He does not need to test - He already knows what the outcome of the test would be.
Moreover, if his love is unconditional, then why would he want to test whether we deserve his grace and benevolence or not?
The Hindu philosophy describes God as
Sarv Lokaik Naatham
He is the Naath - the protector of all - Not only his loved ones - or who love him - but all.
Nor He hates those who do not love Him.
So, where this idea comes from that God tests our faith?
Perhaps this notion comes from the western thought that God created man in his own image.
If A is like B, then B must be like A.
Hence, if the man is the image of God, then God must be like a man too.
We think since we are his image, then he must be like us.
Therefore, we tend to attribute human emotions and weaknesses such as jealousy, anger, and favoritism to God also.
For example, it is written in the Bible that:
"I am the Lord - thy God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them, for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.
And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me".
Exodus chapter 20 - verses 2, 3, 5 and 6
Just as the jealous spouses like to keep a watch on their spouses and continually want to test their loyalty - we assume that God is also like them - and He also occasionally tests the faith of his subjects by making them suffer. They believe that God showers blessings upon his favorite ones, or becomes angry and throws wrath upon those who disobey him.
Perhaps, this is a way of denying the responsibility of our Karma - our actions - by blaming it on a jealous and discriminative God who needs to test our loyalty and faith in him - before giving us his full attention and love.
There is an old Indian story of a man who invited an old man to his home for dinner.
But later, the host kicked the old man out of his home without giving him food - because he refused to pray and thank God before eating. The man was angry that his guest did not want to join him in praying and thanking God for that wonderful meal they were about to enjoy.
Then a voice said to the host, who considered himself a sincere devotee of the Lord.
"You could not provide even a single meal to a person whom you think is a nonbeliever and unfaithful - And I have given him until now for all his life - even though he has been cussing me for the past 60 years.'
This is the difference between man and God.
God's love and benevolence are unconditional and equal to all believers and nonbelievers without any discrimination.
So, does he need or want to test our faith?
Some people say that God gives suffering to those whom he loves - to make them stronger.
'Whom he loves?
Does he not love everyone equally and unconditionally?
If he does, then he would give equal suffering to everyone to make them stronger.
Moreover, The Omnipotent - all-powerful God can make us stronger if he wants to - without giving us any suffering and tests.
Undoubtedly, Sufferings and hardships of life can make some people stronger - but some people might come out broken and disheartened also. Surely God would know that too.
Some people say that God knows our capacity and gives us as many sufferings as we can handle.
If God already knows our capacity, then why is there a need for testing it?
The thought that God is testing our strength and patience by giving us suffering might help those who do not wish to accept the law of Karma - That whatever we experience - joy or misery is the result of the actions of our present and the past lives.
Therefore, they put everything upon God - because they do not wish to feel guilty.
It might make it easier for them to go through such a time by excepting it as a test of their faith.
Psychologically, it's a fact that faith - knowingly, or unknowingly - or even Blind Faith can have wondrous effects on our mind and body.
However, a Gyani - an enlightened person understands that since God knows everything - including the strength and capabilities of His subjects, He does not need to test their faith and loyalty.
Good and bad times are not because of God's desire but because of one's own thoughts and past actions - including some inevitable circumstances.
' Rajan Sachdeva '
Does He really want to test our loyalty?
If God is omniscient and all-knowing, then he already knows our capacity and limitations.
He does not need to test - He already knows what the outcome of the test would be.
Moreover, if his love is unconditional, then why would he want to test whether we deserve his grace and benevolence or not?
The Hindu philosophy describes God as
Sarv Lokaik Naatham
He is the Naath - the protector of all - Not only his loved ones - or who love him - but all.
Nor He hates those who do not love Him.
So, where this idea comes from that God tests our faith?
Perhaps this notion comes from the western thought that God created man in his own image.
If A is like B, then B must be like A.
Hence, if the man is the image of God, then God must be like a man too.
We think since we are his image, then he must be like us.
Therefore, we tend to attribute human emotions and weaknesses such as jealousy, anger, and favoritism to God also.
For example, it is written in the Bible that:
"I am the Lord - thy God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them, for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.
And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me".
Exodus chapter 20 - verses 2, 3, 5 and 6
Just as the jealous spouses like to keep a watch on their spouses and continually want to test their loyalty - we assume that God is also like them - and He also occasionally tests the faith of his subjects by making them suffer. They believe that God showers blessings upon his favorite ones, or becomes angry and throws wrath upon those who disobey him.
Perhaps, this is a way of denying the responsibility of our Karma - our actions - by blaming it on a jealous and discriminative God who needs to test our loyalty and faith in him - before giving us his full attention and love.
There is an old Indian story of a man who invited an old man to his home for dinner.
But later, the host kicked the old man out of his home without giving him food - because he refused to pray and thank God before eating. The man was angry that his guest did not want to join him in praying and thanking God for that wonderful meal they were about to enjoy.
Then a voice said to the host, who considered himself a sincere devotee of the Lord.
"You could not provide even a single meal to a person whom you think is a nonbeliever and unfaithful - And I have given him until now for all his life - even though he has been cussing me for the past 60 years.'
This is the difference between man and God.
God's love and benevolence are unconditional and equal to all believers and nonbelievers without any discrimination.
So, does he need or want to test our faith?
Some people say that God gives suffering to those whom he loves - to make them stronger.
'Whom he loves?
Does he not love everyone equally and unconditionally?
If he does, then he would give equal suffering to everyone to make them stronger.
Moreover, The Omnipotent - all-powerful God can make us stronger if he wants to - without giving us any suffering and tests.
Undoubtedly, Sufferings and hardships of life can make some people stronger - but some people might come out broken and disheartened also. Surely God would know that too.
Some people say that God knows our capacity and gives us as many sufferings as we can handle.
If God already knows our capacity, then why is there a need for testing it?
The thought that God is testing our strength and patience by giving us suffering might help those who do not wish to accept the law of Karma - That whatever we experience - joy or misery is the result of the actions of our present and the past lives.
Therefore, they put everything upon God - because they do not wish to feel guilty.
It might make it easier for them to go through such a time by excepting it as a test of their faith.
Psychologically, it's a fact that faith - knowingly, or unknowingly - or even Blind Faith can have wondrous effects on our mind and body.
However, a Gyani - an enlightened person understands that since God knows everything - including the strength and capabilities of His subjects, He does not need to test their faith and loyalty.
Good and bad times are not because of God's desire but because of one's own thoughts and past actions - including some inevitable circumstances.
' Rajan Sachdeva '
good food for thought thanks
ReplyDeleteVery much insightful descriptive thoughts penned down.. Amazing ๐
ReplyDeleteSo much cleared thank you so much sr
ReplyDeleteGreat insight and thought provoking article!
ReplyDelete"Good and bad times are not because of God's desire but because of one's own thoughts and past actions - including some inevitable circumstances."
Thank You!
We can't change our past actions but can definitely improve present and future ones! Great insight!!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully explained. This article answers many questions and remove confusions.๐
ReplyDelete