"Devotion to God involves implicit obedience to His revealed Commands even when the reason for these Commands is not understood. The sailor implicitly obeys his captain's orders, even when he does not know the reason for them,
but his acceptance of authority is not blind.
He knows full well that the captain has served a thorough probation, and given ample proofs of competence as a navigator.
Were it not so, he would be foolish indeed to serve under him.
So the Bahá'í must implicitly obey the Captain of his Salvation, but he will be foolish indeed if he has not first ascertained that this Captain has given ample proofs of trustworthiness.
Having received such proofs, however, to refuse obedience would be even greater folly, for only by intelligent and open-eyed obedience to the wise master can we reap the benefits of his wisdom, and acquire this wisdom for ourselves.
Be the captain ever so wise, if none of the crew obey him how shall the ship reach its port or the sailors learn the art of navigation?"~ Dr. J.E. Esslemont, Baha'u'llah and the New Era, p. 78
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment