Grace, Will, and Faith

Insights and Meditations on Scriptures and Writings

By I’an RoeBuck

“This excellent work will certainly be most useful and helpful especially to the new believer and the inquirer desiring to deepen himself/herself in the Faith.”

- Joel B. Marangella, Third Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith

Grace, Will, and Faith

Insights and Meditations on Scriptures and Writings

By I’an RoeBuck

Copyright c 2002

I’an RoeBuck

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without permission in writing from the author or publisher.

First Edition February 2002

Second Edition April 2002

Printed and Published in the U.S.A. by

The Orthodox Bahá’ís of the Greater Salt Lake City Area

P.O. Box 702104

West Valley City, UT 84118

Dedicated to Hand of the Cause of God Frank Schlatter without whom I would never have become a Bahá’í

Acknowledgements

I am first of all indebted to my wife, Julia. Without her constant support I would have given up long ago. I also wish to thank my two sons, Andrew and Joshua, who not only have made life interesting, but also without whom I would never have been persuaded to re-evaluate my personal stances on many issues within my life.

iii

Preface

In the summer of 2001, at the International Orthodox Bahá’í Conference, those attending were asked to make a presentation on the Faith. Among the things that I was privileged to present were four pass around items that I later collected. These four items were my research and thoughts upon four subjects that I had been studying in personal deepening of the Scriptures and teachings of the Faith. They were only 10% complete.

I received some interesting comments and aid from several of the participants including Mrs. Marilyn Meyers.

In the intervening months, I have been able to conclude initial research on one of the topics that has now become this book. Let me state from the first, this is not an interpretation of Scriptures. What follows are simply my insights (personal) and meditations, as well as some explanations, of Scriptures within and without the Orthodox Bahá’í Faith.

It is my hope that for those who are Bahá’ís, this will give them a starting point for even further study and deepening. Those who are not Bahá’í, and who are from a Christian background (particularly those of a Lutheran, Calvinistic, or Baptist background) may find the topics covered in this book to be of some interest. The main thing they may take from it is the extreme similarity of thought between Krishna, the Old and New Testaments, Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh on this subject. This should not surprise Bahá’ís, whose main presupposition is that all religions come from Major Prophets whose lives and words are the very emanation of God Himself. For a Christian, this idea will be both challenging and new, and this book it is hoped may give them a reference point to see those similarities in a positive light.

iv

Preface to the Second Edition

After handing out the completed work at the March 2002 Conference, the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith was kind enough to review the work, and made very valuable comments and suggestions which I have incorporated into this book. I hope it will now be an even more improved version, and will be able to help those seekers, inquirers, new Bahá’ís and old, to a better understanding of the theology of the Cause in matters of grace, will, and faith.

v

Introduction

The Orthodox Bahá’í Faith has its early roots in that of Islam. A young Muhammadan Man announced in Persia on May 23^rd, 1844, that He was the forerunner of the Promised One of all the previous religions. It created uproar in that area of the world. No less than 20,000 of His followers, known as Bábi’s were martyred. In 1850, the Báb was publicly executed.

One of the Báb’s followers became known as Bahá’u’lláh. That title roughly translates as “the Glory of God”. Bahá’u’lláh announced that He was the One foretold by the Báb. He began his ministry in 1853, and publicly announced it in 1863. Bahá’u’lláh was banished successively from Persia to Baghdad to Constantinople, to Adrianople, and finally to the prison city of Akka located across the bay from Haifa, Israel. He later pitched His tent upon Mount Carmel. He passed away in 1892.

`Abdu’l-Bahá, another title meaning “Servant of Bahá’u’lláh”, was the appointed successor and Center of the Covenant and Interpreter of the Word. Released from imprisonment, He traveled to Europe and America in 1911 – 1912. He passed away in 1921.

Shoghi Effendi, the eldest grandson of `Abdu’l-Bahá, was appointed by Him to be Guardian of the Faith, and under his leadership the Faith expanded to over 250 different countries. Shoghi Effendi passed away in London in 1957.

vi

Shoghi Effendi, in the only Proclamation he ever issued, appointed Charles Mason Remey as the Head of the International Bahá’í Council, the embryonic Universal House of Justice. Mason Remey remained silent until 1960, as he tried to preserve unity among the believers. In 1960 he publicly announced that Shoghi Effendi has appointed him second Guardian of the Faith. The appointment being in the known fact that only a Guardian can be the Head or President of the Universal House of Justice, whether fully formed or in embryonic condition. With the passing of Shoghi Effendi the embryonic House of Justice, provisionally designated as the International Bahá’í Council, which had never been activated, had immediately become the active organ, and Mason as its president, the Guardian.

Mason himself both appointed in writing, and by appointing to the second International Bahá’í Council as President, Joel Bray Marangella third Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith. When Mason activated the Council in 1965, Joel, as its President and Head, became the Guardian.

The Orthodox Bahá’í Faith teaches the unity of God and His Prophets, the unity of the human race, the independent investigation of the truth, elimination of all forms of prejudice, the fundamental agreement of science and religion, equal opportunities, rights, and privileges for both sexes, abolishes extremes of poverty and wealth, establishes the need for an international script and language, universal education, a universal system of currency, weights, and measures, and promotes the establishment of world peace.

vii

I. Grace

Grace is the outpouring love and care of God, given by Him to mankind freely. The amount and nature of that grace, which flows forth from God, is His alone to determine.

How to Become Close To God

(Ed. Note: Quotes from the Old and New Testaments, and those of the Qur’án, are not in quotes. They are referenced according to the accepted standard of Chapter and verse, and in the Qur’án’s case Surah and verse. All other Writings are placed within quotation marks.)

Part of becoming close to God is activity and faith. The specific activity mentioned in the Book of Moses is that of keeping the commandments that are revealed in each dispensation. God’s mercy is shown to all those who love God and keep His commandments. Here, loving God and keeping His commandments are seen to be inseparable.

Old Testament Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

The Love of God, with which we are to love Him, is created in us, but we are required to know it. What that knowing consists of is the question. It would seem it is more than just an intellectual understanding, but rather a deeper meditative and reflective knowing, a soul-deep knowing. If we realize that God’s love is already in us, we realize and find Him so very near. Here I speak of God as revealed in and through His Manifestation. Indeed, if we are God’s fortress, and enter into that fortress to know our self, we will find God’s (i.e., the Manifestation of God’s) love in us.

“Thou art My stronghold; enter therein that thou mayest abide in safety. My love is in thee, know it, that thou mayest find Me near unto thee.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 13.

The revealed Words of the Messengers are given to attract the heart and soul of man to a closer approach to God and to draw man to a more dedicated singleness of mind in his love for his Creator. The Prophet’s words are from heaven. They are spiritual and powerful and able to draw men to God.

“I therefore reveal unto thee sacred and resplendent tokens from the planes of glory, to attract thee into the court of holiness and nearness and beauty, and draw thee to a station wherein thou shalt see nothing in creation save the Face of thy Beloved One, the Honored, and behold all created things only as in the day wherein none hath a mention.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 3.

As the love and faith in God’s Teachers continues to grow, so also must our activities in keeping God’s commandments for our Day. One of the activities and virtues required for that closeness to God that can only be described in mystical terms, that worship, which approaches a Divine kind of visitation of the soul, is true humility toward God. We cannot hope to go in worship and contemplation, while at the same time feeling proud and superior to others, and expect the closeness of God to descend upon our beings. If we humble ourselves in prayer and service, God’s Manifestation will make Himself known in our heart.

“Humble thyself before Me, that I may graciously visit thee.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 30.

Another method or activity for having the grace of that closeness which comes through the Holy Spirit is to seek and have fellowship with other believers. And more deeply than that, to seek out those righteous souls who themselves have known the closeness of God’s presence in prayer. Fellowship with the righteous is a means of receiving grace.

“Wouldst thou seek the grace of the Holy Spirit, enter into fellowship with the righteous, for he hath drunk the cup of eternal life at the hands of the immortal Cup-bearer and even as the true morn doth quicken and illumine the hearts of the dead.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 90.

As spiritual growth continues, we will be more and more enabled to come to that closeness and emulate those who have done so before us. Each of us must increasingly become aware that the real true spiritual self that we are trying to develop is dependent upon seeing and finding the attributes of God, reflected by His Divine Manifestations, within our own being. If our spiritual sight is to discern our real human virtues, we will see that they are from the Manifestation of God. In our love for Him, we have internalized His attributes or spiritual qualities and made them our own. By the power of the Holy Spirit we find Bahá'u'lláh’s attributes within our own souls.

“Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 15.

Again, we find that not only is the love of God to be found inward in contemplating the Manifestation of God: but, also, His commandments become the means for giving light to our souls. They become instruments through which we may spiritually see and discern God’s providential care and concern and love for us. The commandments of God become keys by which, through actively obeying them, we find the doors of God’s mercy thrown open to us. God’s grace flows through His commandments.

“Know assuredly that My commandments are the lamps of My loving providence among My servants, and the keys of My mercy for My creatures.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 22.

Satan and Evil

At this point, a word must be said as to the meaning of Satan and evil. In Bahá’í understanding, the idea of Satan found in the Scriptures of the world’s major religions is a metaphor, and allegory. It is a symbol used to explain the animalistic nature of man when it dominates his soul. It is this debasing of man to the level of the animal desires that keeps us from keeping the Word of God in our lives and in feeling close to Him. Satan is selfish desires and vain imaginations. Love for God burns that kind of self away.

“Wherefore must the veils of the satanic self be burned away at the fire of love, that the spirit may be purified and cleansed and thus may know the station of the Lord of the Worlds.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 11.

The personification of man’s baser instincts when he turns himself over to them is Satan and the demons. Evil is to actively prefer one’s self to that of one’s neighbor, to prefer one’s own desires to that of the Divine Will. We are urged to flee these evil selfish qualities by means of the power of God. That power comes only through the revelation of the Word of God. Evil qualities can only be overcome by the aid of God.

“Nothing whatever can, in this Day, inflict a greater harm upon this Cause than dissension and strife, contention, estrangement and apathy, among the loved ones of God. Flee them, through the power of God and His sovereign aid, and strive ye to knit together the hearts of men, in His Name, the Unifier, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 8 – 9.

The power of God makes it possible for us to give up our corrupt desires and vain imaginations. Idolatry today, except in a few countries, is no longer the worship of wood and carved images. Now the idols are internal in the mind. Images of vanity and desires that are not within the framework of God’s Will, these are the idols of modern man. Like the righteous of the past, we are required to break to pieces these idols, which lead us to unhappy misery, and instead bow down to the Lord of the Worlds.

“None have believed in Him except them who, through the power of the Lord of Names, have shattered the idols of their vain imaginings and corrupt desires and entered the city of certitude. The seal of the choice Wine of His Revelation hath, in this Day and in His Name, the Self-Sufficing, been broken. Its grace is being poured out upon men.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 12.

No One Can Do It on Their Own

What we often fail to realize is that these efforts are predicated upon the assumption that we as human beings cannot on our own power alone destroy these modern idols of the mind and desires. God is the doer of the good we do.

Old Testament Isaiah 26:12 LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.

Every one of us has these idols to which we bow every day. They keep us from eternal happiness. Paul states that it is God’s grace to bring us to eternal life. We all, no matter how good, sin and do not achieve the nearness to God that we ought. Sin is to “miss the mark.” Sin is to follow the promptings of the animal nature and not the divine nature. But by belief in the Manifestation of God for the era in which one lives, God will make us righteous through the sacrifices of the Prophet. Each dispensation of Divine Providence has a Manifestation of God as its impetus. It is the sacrifices of that Pure Being that draw us to attempt purity ourselves.

New Testament Romans 3:22 – 24 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

The grace and strength to attempt every day to keep the commandments of the Lord, and follow in His directions, comes through the Manifestation of God to us by means of the Writings, and the Holy Spirit working in those Writings, to open our minds and hearts to the purposes of God for our lives. It is the grace and bestowal of God that makes it possible for us to follow the way of God.

Qur’án 1:6 – 7 Show us the straight way, The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace

It is an unfortunate truth that not all of mankind will follow the Manifestation when He comes. It is equally a hard truth at times to understand that God’s guidance is given to whomever He desires.

Qur’án 2:142 Say: To God belong both east and West: He guideth whom He will to a Way that is straight.

We all want to follow the Lord when He comes. We want to understand God and be close to Him. These verses indicate that both man and the Prophets can speak about God, only by the grace of God, and then what they describe describes solely the attributes of God as reflected in the Holy Prophets.

“I have testified to Thy oneness through Thine Own Self before the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, bearing witness that, verily, Thou art the All-Glorious, the Best Beloved. I have attained the recognition of Thee through Thine Own Self before the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, bearing witness that Thou art in truth the Almighty, the All-Praised. I have glorified Thy Name through Thine Own Self before the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, bearing witness that Thou art indeed the Lord of power, He Who is the Most Manifest. I have exalted Thy holiness through Thine Own Self before the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, bearing witness that in truth Thou art the Most Sanctified, the Most Holy. I have praised Thy sanctity through Thine Own Self before the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, bearing witness that Thou art indeed the Indescribable, the Inaccessible, the Immeasurably Glorified. I have extolled Thine overpowering majesty through Thine Own Self before the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, bearing witness that, verily, Thou and Thou alone art the Lord of might, the Eternal One, the Ancient of Days.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 4 – 5.

Since it is God alone who is the Lord of might, it is only through God’s grace that all mankind are enabled to attain anything spiritual or physical or good. The weaknesses of man are such that while he has some ability and power, it is not enough in itself to enable him alone to overcome his evil or animal inclinations.

“This is a letter from God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting, unto God, the Almighty, the Best Beloved, to affirm that the Bayán and such as bear allegiance to it are but a present from me unto Thee and to express my undoubting faith that there is no God but Thee, that the kingdoms of Creation and Revelation are Thine, that no one can attain anything save by Thy power. . .” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 6 – 7.

To move forward in spiritual growth, we must have the aid of God. To obtain this aid, we must have the love of God. To obtain the love of God we must have the help of God.

“And if, by the help of God, he findeth on this journey a trace of the traceless Friend, and inhaleth the fragrance of the long-lost from the heavenly messenger, he shall straightway step into THE VALLEY OF LOVE and be dissolved in the fire of love.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 7-8.

How then are we to overcome this great dilemma? We need the aid of God to obtain the aid of God! In prayer we are to seek assistance from the Prophets, even to assisting in the prayer itself.

“If thou be a man of communion and prayer, soar up on the wings of assistance from Holy Souls, that thou mayest behold the mysteries of the Friend and attain to the lights of the Beloved, "Verily, we are from God and to Him shall we return."”(Qur’án 2:151) Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 17.

With the means of prayer and meditation upon the Sacred Scriptures, the Holy Spirit showing with our souls the love of God, in a mystic manner we become bold and enabled to carry out in our lives with less and less selfishness the laws of His Revelation. His commandments actually have a grace that flows through obedience to them, and they can only truly be observed by loving the One Who gave them.

“Say: From My laws the sweet-smelling savour of My garment can be smelled, and by their aid the standards of Victory will be planted upon the highest peaks. The Tongue of My power hath, from the heaven of My omnipotent glory, addressed to My creation these words: "Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty." Happy is the lover that hath inhaled the divine fragrance of his Best-Beloved from these words, laden with the perfume of a grace which no tongue can describe.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 22 – 23.

God is Merciful and Compassionate

When carrying out the commandments of God in our lives, it is well to always remember that they are for establishing justice in the world. When contemplating that justice, it is also well to remember that true justice is a mercy to the people of God. God is merciful and compassionate. It is upon these attributes of God that the believer must fully rest assured.

Old Testament Psalms 145:8 - 9 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

God’s Great Mercy

God’s great mercy sends His Messengers. When we reject those messengers we have inflicted the wrath of God upon ourselves.

Old Testament 2 Chronicles 36:15 - 16 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

When at times it feels like the Lord is executing wrath upon our lives, truly, if we believe, we should stand back and understand that it is His Word in our lives that is sustaining us. God’s mercies are what keep us going in difficult conditions.

Old Testament Lamentations 3:22 - 24 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

God does not inflict sorrow from the desire of His heart to do so, and when He must permit grief, He brings hidden compassions.

Old Testament Lamentations 3:32 - 33 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

The Purposes of God’s Grace

God’s grace keeps you from falling into evil continually. Here evil is to move out of the Will of God and into error and disobedience to the command of God. Indeed, it is the revealed Word, which, if followed, will keep us from misery.

Old Testament Pslams 17:4 - 5 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

We must come to re-evaluate who we are. As good as we think we are, by the standards of God we are not. Like praise and worship, He permits them, inadequate as they are, to be accepted. Only God’s grace allows us to live moment to moment.

Qur’án 16:63 Should God punish men for their perverse doings, He would not leave on earth a moving thing! But to an appointed term doth He respite them....

Part of God’s grace is for the purpose of both sustaining and holding in dearest love all His created worlds.

Qur’án 1:1 - 3 In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful

God’s grace makes brotherhood and the oneness of mankind possible.

Qur’án 3:103 He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren

We are urged to seek the grace of God, and it is this grace, which once we believe, allows the believer into paradise. It is neither works nor deeds but the grace of God alone which permits entry. We must believe to get in. We should show improvement in our deeds once we believe, but neither Faith nor Deeds earns the entry. The entry is given by grace: since, no matter how much belief we show forth, it cannot be enough to adequately reflect God in our lives. In the same manner, no matter how many, or how great, the deeds, they are not enough to reach the court of holiness - just like praising God in prayer. No praise we utter ever really reaches Him. Hence, it is God’s grace alone which allows the praise (and the deeds and the faith) to be accepted, though they are not worthy.

“Seek ye grace from God, for God hath ordained for you, after ye have believed in Him, a Garden the vastness of which is as the vastness of the whole of Paradise. Therein ye shall find naught save the gifts and favours which the Almighty hath graciously bestowed by virtue of this momentous Cause, as decreed in the Mother Book.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 63.

God’s grace is given for the purpose of keeping the righteous faithful and spiritually virtuous.

“We have taken the inner essence thereof and clothed it in the garment of brevity, as a token of grace unto the righteous, that they may stand faithful unto the Covenant of God, may fulfill in their lives His trust, and in the realm of spirit obtain the gem of Divine virtue.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 8.

It is the grace of God that gives the soul its needs and growth.

“. . . physicians have no medicine for one sick of love, unless the favor of the beloved one deliver him.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 13.

God gives His guidance, and this guidance is a form of grace. The religion established by the Manifestations of God and renewed by Them, is a powerful means for the dispensing of the grace of God.

“He it is at Whose bidding the standard of the Most Exalted Word hath been lifted up in the world of creation, and the banner of "He doeth whatsoever He willeth" raised amidst all peoples. He it is Who hath revealed His Cause for the guidance of His creatures, and sent down His verses to demonstrate His Proof and His Testimony, and embellished the preface of the Book of Man with the ornament of utterance through His saying: "The God of Mercy hath taught the Qur'án, hath created man, and taught him articulate speech." Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 1.

Only by God’s grace can we do what is acceptable.

“Beseech ye the one true God to grant that all men may be graciously assisted to fulfill that which is acceptable in Our sight.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 7.

To be steadfast in faith requires God’s mercy and grace. It is something one must pray to God to receive. In Bahá’í prayers there are prayers for steadfastness.

“Meditate upon this, O ye beloved of God, and let your ears be attentive unto His Word, so that ye may, by His grace and mercy, drink your fill from the crystal waters of constancy, and become as steadfast and immovable as the mountain in His Cause.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 13.

God’s grace is what allows us to worship Him, and not some deed or work which we have done. It is not as though God now owes us anything.

“The tie of servitude established between the worshiper and the adored One, between the creature and the Creator, should in itself be regarded as a token of His gracious favor unto men, and not as an indication of any merit they may possess. To this testifieth every true and discerning believer.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 193.

God’s Grace is Love

God’s grace is love to us.

“This is the Mercy that hath encompassed the entire creation, the Day whereon the grace of God hath permeated and pervaded all things. The living waters of My mercy, O `Alí, are fast pouring down, and Mine heart is melting with the heat of My tenderness and love. At no time have I been able to reconcile Myself to the afflictions befalling My loved ones, or to any trouble that could becloud the joy of their hearts.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 307.

God’s Grace Comes First to Us

God gives us the love whereby we love Him.

“Bless me, O my God, and those who will believe in Thy signs on the appointed Day, and such as cherish my love in their hearts--a love which Thou dost instil into them. Verily Thou art the Lord of righteousness, the Most Exalted.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 200.

Whatever we do to move toward God, comes first from God to us.

“For whatever such strivings may accomplish, they never can hope to transcend the limitations imposed upon Thy creatures, inasmuch as these efforts are actuated by Thy decree, and are begotten of Thine invention.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 4.

Prayer and praise of God is God’s grace to man, since all that man may magnify is not really God, but only what men and women may know about their own selves. God is infinitely higher. However holy and great and spiritual our thoughts of God are, they are only of our selves in a more exalted nature - or of the attributes of the Manifestations of God. God is higher but accepts this praise as a grace to us.

“Whatever duty Thou hast prescribed unto Thy servants of extolling to the utmost Thy majesty and glory is but a token of Thy grace unto them, that they may be enabled to ascend unto the station conferred upon their own inmost being, the station of the knowledge of their own selves.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 4.

Only by the help of God are we made able to hear and respond to His call. It is God Who first moves and gives life through the Words of His Prophet and Its influence.

“All praise be to Thee for having enabled me to hearken to Thy call, for having honoured me with Thy footsteps, and for having quickened my soul through the vitalizing fragrance of Thy Day and the shrilling voice of Thy Pen, a voice Thou didst ordain as Thy trumpet-call amidst Thy people.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 3.

Why God Gave the Grace of Creation

From eternity in God’s Own inner Being, He loved us. Because of this love for each individual, He created us, made us in His image, and then through the Manifestation of God revealed to us His attributes.

“Veiled in My immemorial being and in the ancient eternity of My essence, I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to thee My beauty.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 10.

The soul is dead until it recognizes its Creator and loves Him. God again restates His love for us, as the reason He created us, and calls us to love Him that we may become spiritually alive. That love toward God is through His Manifestation.

“I loved thy creation, hence I created thee. Wherefore, do thou love Me, that I may name thy name and fill thy soul with the spirit of life.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 10.

Indeed, the grace of Almighty God is the cause of the creation of the entire universe. This Infinite love of the Creator not only caused creation to come into being, it sustains and keeps creation from extinction at every moment.

“A drop of the billowing ocean of His endless mercy hath adorned all creation with the ornament of existence, and a breath wafted from His peerless Paradise hath invested all beings with the robe of His sanctity and glory. A sprinkling from the unfathomed deep of His sovereign and all-pervasive Will hath, out of utter nothingness, called into being a creation which is infinite in its range and deathless in its duration. The wonders of His bounty can never cease, and the stream of His merciful grace can never be arrested.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 61.

The creation of all things is the product of God’s grace and mercy.

“All praise to the unity of God, and all honor to Him, the sovereign Lord, the incomparable and all-glorious Ruler of the universe, Who, out of utter nothingness, hath created the reality of all things, Who, from naught, hath brought into being the most refined and subtle elements of His creation, and Who, rescuing His creatures from the abasement of remoteness and the perils of ultimate extinction, hath received them into His kingdom of incorruptible glory. Nothing short of His all-encompassing grace, His all-pervading mercy, could have possibly achieved it.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 64.

God Gives His Mercy to Whomsoever He Desires

The special mercy of God (Here meaning the Mercy of direct Revelation and Prophethood) is a matter of choice by God alone.

Qur’án 2:105 It is never the wish of those without Faith among the People of the Book, nor of the Pagans, that anything good should come down to you from your Lord. But God will choose for His special Mercy whom He will - for God is Lord of grace abounding.

The mercy of God allows even the most evil of men breezes, warmth, and rain.

“. . . God's mercy hath, verily, encompassed all created things, if ye do but understand."” Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 25.

God makes His Own decisions as to whom He confers His grace.

“All grace and bounty are His. To whomsoever He will He giveth whatsoever is His wish. He, verily, is the All-Powerful, the Almighty, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 73.

Whatever God does is done from grace.

“Everything Thou doest is pure justice, nay, the very essence of grace.” Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 10.

God’s mercy is God’s decision to give to whomever He may choose.

“GOD says in the great Qur'án: "He specializes for His Mercy whomsoever He willeth." (Qur'án 2:105, 3:74)” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 77.

A Condition for Some Forms of Grace

While grace is generally viewed as a free gift of God, there are some conditions that make the gifts of God flow to us more freely. This condition allows grace from God to flow freely.

Old Testament Psalms 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

This walking uprightly is being true to the demands of the Word of God. Along with this must be worshipful love. Piety in faith will insure nourishment from God’s grace.

“If, however, ye observe piety in your Faith, God will surely nourish you from the treasuries of His heavenly grace.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 130.

While man, if he does the things specified here, will be made worthy of the Divine Outpourings of grace, it is also clear that grace from God is necessary to do the very things required to have grace!

“. . . they that tread the path of faith, they that thirst for the wine of certitude, must cleanse themselves of all that is earthly--their ears from idle talk, their minds from vain imaginings, their hearts from worldly affections, their eyes from that which perisheth. They should put their trust in God, and, holding fast unto Him, follow in His way. Then will they be made worthy of the effulgent glories of the sun of divine knowledge and understanding, and become the recipients of a grace that is infinite and unseen, inasmuch as man can never hope to attain unto the knowledge of the All-Glorious, can never quaff from the stream of divine knowledge and wisdom, can never enter the abode of immortality, nor partake of the cup of divine nearness and favour, unless and until he ceases to regard the words and deeds of mortal men as a standard for the true understanding and recognition of God and His Prophets.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 3.

To achieve these graces from God one must truly be seeking His Manifestation. No one who is truly seeking God will be denied the grace of God.

“No man that seeketh Us will We ever disappoint, neither shall he that hath set his face towards Us be denied access unto Our court.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 270 – 271.

The grace of either living during the lifetime of the Prophet or close to the era of the prophet is a special grace and mercy from God to those whom He has chosen.

“All glory be to this Day, the Day in which the fragrances of mercy have been wafted over all created things, a Day so blest that past ages and centuries can never hope to rival it, a Day in which the countenance of the Ancient of Days hath turned towards His holy seat.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 3.

It takes a power to follow the right path in our lives. This power is given to those who attempt to put Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings into action. Grace comes also from obedient action.

“How can we get the power to follow the right path?

By putting the teaching into practice power will be given. You know which path to follow: you cannot be mistaken, for there's a great distinction between Good* and evil, between Light and darkness, Truth and falsehood, Love and hatred, Generosity and meanness, Education and ignorance, Faith in God and superstition, good Laws and unjust laws.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 64.

*The Guardian states that the word "God" appearing in the above quotation is obviously a typographical error and should have been the word "Good."

Teaching the Cause of God brings and draws to us God’s grace.

“Whosoever and whatsoever meeting becometh a hindrance to the diffusion of the Light of Faith, let the loved ones give them counsel and say: "Of all the gifts of God the greatest is the gift of Teaching. It draweth unto us the Grace of God and is our first obligation.” (Ed. Note: From the Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahá quoted by Shoghi Effendi) Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Administration, p. 12.

Conditions Under Which Grace Is Limited

The free flowing of God’s grace can also be hindered by our own thoughts and actions. God raised up Pharaoh who was tyrannical to the Hebrews. Indeed, the Apostle Paul even asks the rhetorical question: Did not God raise up Pharaoh just so He could put him down, and show His power to those who would believe. Moses says that God raised up Pharaoh also to make God’s Name known to the world, and that name in Exodus is not Jesus Christ but rather I AM THAT I AM, or the Self-Existing One.

Old Testament Exodus 9:16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

While grace flowed to the humble Hebrew people through Moses, Pharaoh in his pride was deprived of it. Pride will keep God’s grace from flowing to us.

New Testament 1 Peter 5:5 Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Grace will be withheld from those who shut themselves out by a veil. Some parts of grace can be stopped by one’s own volition.

“Our grace assuredly pervadeth all that dwell in the kingdoms of earth and heaven and in whatever lieth between them, and beyond them all mankind. However, souls that have shut themselves out as by a veil can never partake of the outpourings of the grace of God.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 37.

Only through the love of God can we receive His love.

“Love Me, that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee. Know this, O servant.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 11.

There are conditions under which grace will be withheld from people, whether they are believers or not yet believers.

“Every aggressor deprives himself of God's grace.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 14.

The loss of faith and assurance will prevent a soul from feeling close to God’s love.

“The other is a difference of faith and assurance; the loss of these is blameworthy, for then the soul is overwhelmed by his desires and passions, which deprive him of these blessings and prevent him from feeling the power of attraction of the love of God.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 131.

What Some of God’s Graces Do

Grace is required from God, a grace that makes the imperfect perfect.

Old Testament Job 9:2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?

The grace of being able to arrive at the very physical presence of Bahá'u'lláh is over. But, we are given other graces.

“. . . though the grace of the All-Bounteous One is never stilled and never ceasing, yet to each time and era a portion is allotted and a bounty set apart, this in a given measure. Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 37.

God’s grace teaches us things spiritual, which we never knew before, so that we may testify, even as the Prophets, seeing nothing but we see God’s purpose and operation in it.

“In the Name of God, the Clement, the Merciful.

Praise be to God Who hath made being to come forth from nothingness; graven upon the tablet of man the secrets of preexistence; taught him from the mysteries of divine utterance that which he knew not; made him a Luminous Book unto those who believed and surrendered themselves; caused him to witness the creation of all things (Kullu Shay') in this black and ruinous age, and to speak forth from the apex of eternity with a wondrous voice in the Excellent Temple: to the end that every man may testify, in himself, by himself, in the station of the Manifestation of his Lord, that verily there is no God save Him, and that every man may thereby win his way to summit of realities, until none shall contemplate anything whatsoever but that he shall see God therein.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 1.

Grace sustains us.

“Through Him all things live, move, and have their being. Through His grace they (Ed. Note: “they” refers to all things that move, live, and have their being in God) are made manifest, and unto Him they all return. From Him all things have sprung, and unto the treasuries of His revelation they all have repaired. From Him all created things did proceed, and to the depositories of His law they did revert.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 23.

If we hold on to God’s grace and mercy we will not be hurt by evil intended words.

“Know thou that neither the calumnies which men may utter, nor their denials, nor any cavils they may raise, can harm him that hath clung to the cord of the grace, and seized the hem of the mercy, of the Lord of creation.” Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 9.

God’s grace in this revelation has released into the world all the favors of God, and brought teachings that bring man to eternal life and bliss with God.

“All the favors of God have been sent down, as a token of His grace. The waters of everlasting life have, in their fullness, been proffered unto men.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 34.

Grace is needed to obviously fill the requirements listed here.

“The teachers of the Cause must be heavenly, lordly and radiant. They must be embodied spirit, personified intellect, and arise in service with the utmost firmness, steadfastness and self-sacrifice. In their journeys they must not be attached to food and clothing. They must concentrate their thoughts on the outpourings of the Kingdom of God and beg for the confirmations of the Holy Spirit. With a divine power, with an attraction of consciousness, with heavenly glad tidings and celestial holiness they must perfume the nostrils with the fragrances of the Paradise of Abhá.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 88.

What Grace Will Not Do

God’s grace is beyond such an awful procedure as described herein.

“How far from the grace of the All-Bountiful and from His loving providence and tender mercies it is to single out a soul from amongst all men for the guidance of His creatures, and, on one hand, to withhold from Him the full measure of His divine testimony, and, on the other, inflict severe retribution on His people for having turned away from His chosen One! Nay, the manifold bounties of the Lord of all beings have, at all times, through the Manifestations of His Divine Essence, encompassed the earth and all that dwell therein.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 18.

Bounty Evidence of Grace

God’s bounty is a small token or gift of His grace.

“Thus have the showers of My bounty been poured down from the heaven of My loving-kindness, as a token of My grace, that ye may be of the thankful.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 41.

Grace is Sometimes Seen in Tribulations

Because of tribulations, God’s grace is often revealed. In times of distress and trouble, how often do we find that those times brought us some of the greatest insights and spiritual discoveries of our lives?

“Say: Tribulation is a horizon unto My Revelation. The day star of grace shineth above it, and sheddeth a light which neither the clouds of men's idle fancy nor the vain imaginations of the aggressor can obscure.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 42.

God’s Grace Is Not Fully Comprehensible

God’s grace is incomprehensible, His mercy unfathomable.

“No man can ever claim to have comprehended the nature of the hidden and manifold grace of God; none can fathom His all-embracing mercy.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 75.

God’s Grace Is Constant

God is constantly pouring forth His grace upon the whole universe of His creatures.

“Not for a moment hath His grace been withheld, nor have the showers of His loving-kindness ceased to rain upon mankind.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 18.

God’s grace can never halt.

“These people have imagined that the flow of God's all-encompassing grace and plenteous mercies, the cessation of which no mind can contemplate, has been halted.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 24.

The grace of God has always been and always will be available to His creatures, both in the person of the Prophet, and the Prophets revelation, and in nature itself the beauty of God has been imprinted.

“The portals of Thy grace have throughout eternity been open, and the means of access unto Thy Presence made available, unto all created things, and the revelations of Thy matchless Beauty have at all times been imprinted upon the realities of all beings, visible and invisible.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 63.

Grace is always going forth from God.

“. . . the Grace of God can never cease from flowing. This is a truth that none can disprove.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 74.

Grace Infinite

The grace of God is infinite.

“The door of the knowledge of the Ancient of Days being thus closed in the face of all beings, the Source of infinite grace, according to His saying: "His grace hath transcended all things; My grace hath encompassed them all" hath caused those luminous Gems of Holiness to appear out of the realm of the spirit, in the noble form of the human temple, and be made manifest unto all men, that they may impart unto the world the mysteries of the unchangeable Being, and tell of the subtleties of His imperishable Essence.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 64.

God’s grace is so bounteous as to be unspeakable.

“Such is the outpouring of His grace that the pen is stilled and the tongue is speechless.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 116.

God’s grace is not just the grace of faith and salvation, but also the sustaining grace that holds the whole universe together. It is the mighty grace that is ever infused into the greatest and the minutest things of creation.

“This is the Day in which God's most excellent favors have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 6.

God’s grace overwhelms the entire universe.

“. . . Thy grace that hath suffused the whole universe. . .” Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 4.

God’s grace is unlimited.

“Thou art, O my God, the God of bounty, Whose grace is immense.” Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 170.

God’s grace is abounding, and bounty from on high flows through His grace.

“Glorified be the All-Merciful, the Lord of grace abounding, through Whom the door of heavenly bounty hath been flung open in the face of all that are in heaven and on earth.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 21.

Grace of God is in All His Worlds

Grace from God is to be found in every world of the worlds of God.

“O My servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will be unveiled to your eyes. You are destined by Him, in this world and hereafter, to partake of their benefits, to share in their joys, and to obtain a portion of their sustaining grace. To each and every one of them you will, no doubt, attain.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 328.

The universe show evidences of God’s generosity.

“The whole universe testifieth to Thy generosity.” Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 58.

Grace Manifested Even to the Ungodly

Because of the grace of God, good things can even result from evil acts.

Old Testament Genesis 4:19 - 22 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron. . .

God permits evil acts, and God can use the evil acts of men to bring about good results. It is my hope we will see this result in the actions of the rejection of the Guardianship by the Hands of the Cause. Who knows in what mysterious and providential way God will ultimately use their evil plotting to bring about His Own purposes.

Old Testament Genesis 45:5 – 9 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me (Joseph) a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not. . .

Again we find a reaffirmation by the Prophet Joseph that God will use even evil designs of men to bring about good.

Old Testament Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

The Assurance of Grace to the Sincere

The grace of God was shown to a prostitute (Rahab) who came to belief in the God of Moses, and from her offspring came the King of Israel, the Messiah.

Old Testament Joshua 6:23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.

God’s grace and eternal life are given to any who believe sincerely and desire to change their ways and conform to the Will of God. Peter states:

New Testament Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they (Ed. Note: the Greeks who had heard the Message of Christ and believed).

If we are seeking after God, striving to get closer, then be assured of God’s grace. He will guide the sincere seeker.

“. . . he should not falter. For those who seek the Ka'bih (meaning here, “goal”, according to a letter from the Third Guardian) of "for Us" rejoice in the tidings: "In Our ways will We guide them."”(Qur’án 29:69, “And whoso maketh efforts for Us, in Our ways will We guide them.”) Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 5.

For all who seek truth, we have the promise of God’s help. Without it we would be lost indeed.

“At every step, aid from the Invisible Realm will attend him and the heat of his search will grow.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 6.

Again the promise is that if we seek earnestly, God will reward this search.

“Yea, although to the wise it be shameful seek the Lord of Lords in the dust, yet this betokeneth intense ardor in searching. "Whoso seeketh out a thing with zeal shall find it."”(Arabian Proverb) Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 7.

God has sent forth many graces which man can attain.

“The whole duty of man in this Day is to attain that share of the flood of grace which God poureth forth for him.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 8.

In this Day, the true Bahá’í believer is the chosen instrument of God’s grace.

“Let us pray to God that in these days of world-encircling gloom, when the dark forces of nature, of hate, rebellion, anarchy and reaction are threatening the very stability of human society, when the most precious fruits of civilization are undergoing severe and unparalleled tests, we may all realize, more profoundly than ever, that though but a mere handful amidst the seething masses of the world, we are in this day the chosen instruments of God's grace, that our mission is most urgent and vital to the fate of humanity, and, fortified by these sentiments, arise to achieve God's holy purpose for mankind.” Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Administration, p. 52.

God Shows Grace to His Leaders

It is the Lord who raises up His leaders. He raises up the lesser prophets.

Old Testament Joshua 4:14 On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.

Grace is Manifested to the Prophets

God, the Unknowable, manifests grace even to the Prophets He raises up.

Old Testament Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Abraham was also a major Prophet of God. He was sinless not because of His virtue, but because God in His grace created him sinless. God, through Abraham, showed that belief is the first requirement of righteousness.

Old Testament Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

God’s grace is given to His Prophets. Indeed, the Prophets are strengthened by the grace of God.

“Say: I have through the grace of God and His might besought the help of no one in the past, neither will I seek the help of any one in the future. He it is Who aided Me, through the power of truth, during the days of My banishment in Iraq. He it is Who overshadowed Me with His protection at a time when the kindreds of the earth were contending with Me. He it is Who enabled Me to depart out of the city, clothed with such majesty as none, except the denier and the malicious, can fail to admit.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 37.

God’s Grace Assures the Prophet

The Prophet is assured of success because of God’s grace.

“Through the grace of God nothing can frustrate My purpose, and I am fully conscious of that which God hath bestowed upon Me as a token of His favour.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 16.

The Presence of the Prophet is the Greatest Grace

The greatest outpouring of grace is when the Prophet lives among men. Yet the period of greatest opposition to the grace of God is during the same period.

“And whensoever the portals of grace did open, and the clouds of divine bounty did rain upon mankind, and the light of the Unseen did shine above the horizon of celestial might, they all denied Him, and turned away from His face--the face of God Himself. Refer ye, to verify this truth, to that which hath been recorded in every sacred Book.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 4.

Bahá’u’lláh restates the greatest grace.

“For the highest and most excelling grace bestowed upon men is the grace of "attaining unto the Presence of God" and of His recognition, which has been promised unto all people. This is the utmost degree of grace vouchsafed unto man by the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days, and the fulness of His absolute bounty upon His creatures.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 88 – 89.

The Prophets are the product of the grace of God and the door through which mankind can receive His grace.

“The door of the knowledge of the Ancient of Days being thus closed in the face of all beings, the Source of infinite grace, according to His saying, "His grace hath transcended all things; My grace hath encompassed them all," hath caused those luminous Gems of Holiness to appear out of the realm of the spirit, in the noble form of the human temple, and be made manifest unto all men, that they may impart unto the world the mysteries of the unchangeable Being, and tell of the subtleties of His imperishable Essence.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 47.

The reason God sends His Prophets is because of God’s grace toward man.

“Having barred the way that leadeth unto Thee, Thou hast, by virtue of Thine authority and through the potency of Thy will, called into being Them Who are the Manifestations of Thy Self, and hast entrusted Them with Thy message unto Thy people, and caused Them to become the Day-Springs of Thine inspiration, the Exponents of Thy Revelation, the Treasuries of Thy Knowledge and the Repositories of Thy Faith, that all men may, through Them, turn their faces towards Thee, and may draw nigh unto the kingdom of Thy Revelation and the heaven of Thy grace.” Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 99.

The Word of God is given by Grace

The Word is given by the Prophet because of God’s grace.

“This bread shall never be withheld from them that deserve it, nor can it ever be exhausted. It groweth everlastingly from the tree of grace; it descendeth at all seasons from the heavens of justice and mercy.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 15.

Grace Transmitted Through the Prophet

Paul states that by the grace of God coming through His Holiness Jesus Christ if we but believe, He will give eternal life by means of the Holy Spirit. This is true of each Manifestation of God during His Day.

New Testament Titus 3:4 - 7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The infinite grace of God is transmitted to the world through the Prophet.

“Through them is transmitted a grace that is infinite, and by them is revealed the light that can never fade.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 65.

The outpourings of the Prophet’s grace gives life to the world.

“. Nay, all else besides these Manifestations, live by the operation of their Will, and move and have their being through the outpourings of their grace.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 66 – 67.

The Qur’án and all the Revelations of the Prophets is a direct result of the grace of God.

“He it is Who hath revealed His Cause for the guidance of His creatures, and sent down His verses to demonstrate His Proof and His Testimony, and embellished the preface of the Book of Man with the ornament of utterance through His saying: "The God of Mercy hath taught the Qur'án, hath created man, and taught him articulate speech."” Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 1.

The prophets are the means of the transmission of the grace of God to man.

“. . . it hath been made indubitably clear that in the kingdoms of earth and heaven there must needs be manifested a Being, an Essence Who shall act as a Manifestation and Vehicle for the transmission of the grace of the Divinity Itself, the Sovereign Lord of all.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 67.

God’s grace and mercy through the Prophets’ revelation shows that they come from eternity to eternity in unending succession.

“What outpouring flood can compare with the stream of His all-embracing grace, and what blessing can excel the evidences of so great and pervasive a mercy? There can be no doubt whatever that if for one moment the tide of His mercy and grace were to be withheld from the world, it would completely perish. For this reason, from the beginning that hath no beginning the portals of Divine mercy have been flung open to the face of all created things, and the clouds of Truth will continue to the end that hath no end to rain on the soil of human capacity, reality and personality their favors and bounties. Such hath been God's method continued from everlasting to everlasting.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 68.

The grace transmitted by the Holy Prophet is from the Holy Spirit, and not the personality of the Prophet.

“It is evident that the souls receive grace from the bounty of the Holy Spirit which appears in the Manifestations of God, and not from the personality of the Manifestation.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 128.

The Grace of God is seen flowing through His Prophets into the infinite future.

“In the Súriy-i-Sabr, revealed as far back as the year 1863, on the very first day of His arrival in the garden of Ridván, He thus affirms: "God hath sent down His Messengers to succeed to Moses and Jesus, and He will continue to do so till `the end that hath no end'; so that His grace may, from the heaven of Divine bounty, be continually vouchsafed to mankind."” Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 116.

Grace Increases with the Passing of the Prophet

When the Prophet passes to the next world, the grace transmitted through him increases even more.

“As to the influence of holy Beings and the continuance of Their grace to mankind after They have put away Their human form, this is, to Bahá'ís, an indisputable fact. Indeed, the flooding grace, the streaming splendours of the holy Manifestations appear after Their ascension from this world. The exaltation of the Word, the revelation of the power of God, the conversion of God-fearing souls, the bestowal of everlasting life--it was following the Messiah's martyrdom that all these were increased and intensified. In the same way, ever since the ascension of the Blessed Beauty, the bestowals have been more abundant, the spreading light is brighter, the tokens of the Lord's might are more powerful, the influence of the Word is much stronger, and it will not be long before the motion, the heat, the brilliance, the blessings of the Sun of His reality will encompass all the earth.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 69 – 70.

Resurrection is by Grace

Without the grace and mercy of God Muhammad declares that we are lost.

Qur’án 2:64 Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of God to you, ye had surely been among the lost.

Spiritual resurrection is by the grace of God. The dead are those souls who have not yet heard the new Message and are in the graves of their own selves.

“It is through the abundant grace of these Symbols of Detachment that the Spirit of life everlasting is breathed into the bodies of the dead.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 22.

New life from the dead is a grace. This new life is not a physical resurrection, but one of the spirit. Where before a man was dead to the virtues of God, now he is made alive by the teachings of the Manifestation of God.

“At one time He appeareth as the water which is Life indeed, sent down out of the heaven of Thy grace, and poured forth from the clouds of Thy mercy, that Thy creatures may be endued with new life, and live as long as Thine own Kingdom endureth.” Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 51.

Grace Guides to Belief

To be guided correctly requires His grace.

“Thou art, verily, He Whose grace hath guided them aright, He Who hath declared Himself to be the All-Merciful.” Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 9.

Martyrdom Attained through the Grace of God

The martyrs are able to endure their martyrdom only because of the grace of God.

“Remember the father of Badí. They arrested that wronged one, and ordered him to curse and revile his Faith. He, however, through the grace of God and the mercy of his Lord, chose martyrdom, and attained thereunto.” Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 75.

Problem Resolution through the Grace of God

Through God’s grace problems and difficulties are resolved.

“Through the grace of God and His chosen ones, and the high endeavors of the devoted and the consecrated, every difficulty can be easily resolved, every problem however complex will prove simpler than blinking an eye.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 17.

God’s Grace Brings the Unity of Mankind

Bahá’u’lláh’s grace has given the law of the oneness of the human race and made its attainment possible. Otherwise the law would have been given but not be attainable. God’s grace is infinite.

“Through Him the light of unity hath shone forth above the horizon of the world, and the law of oneness hath been revealed amidst the nations, who, with radiant faces, have turned towards the Supreme Horizon, and acknowledged that which the Tongue of Utterance hath spoken in the kingdom of His knowledge: "Earth and heaven, glory and dominion, are God's, the Omnipotent, the Almighty, the Lord of grace abounding!"” Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 2.

Grace Produces Civilization

The very civilization we enjoy is a direct product of the grace found through the Holy Scriptures.

“By the Lord God, and there is no God but He, even the minutest details of civilized life derive from the grace of the Prophets of God. What thing of value to mankind has ever come into being which was not first set forth either directly or by implication in the Holy Scriptures?” `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 96.

The Word of God and the Power of the Holy Spirit

The Word of God is an entity, that is a Being, which is manifested in the Manifestations of God. The Manifestation of this Entity, the Word of God, is the cause of every grace.

“Know thou, moreover, that the Word of God--exalted be His glory--is higher and far superior to that which the senses can perceive, for it is sanctified from any property or substance. It transcendeth the limitations of known elements and is exalted above all the essential and recognized substances. It became manifest without any syllable or sound and is none but the Command of God which pervadeth all created things. It hath never been withheld from the world of being. It is God's all-pervasive grace, from which all grace doth emanate. It is an entity far removed above all that hath been and shall be.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 140 – 141.

The Holy Spirit working through the Prophets brings eternal life to man.

“The Holy Spirit it is which, through the mediation of the Prophets of God, teaches spiritual virtues to man and enables him to attain Eternal Life.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 52.

The Holy Spirit enables a believer to have an influence upon those who he meets.

“We understand that the Holy Spirit is the energizing factor in the life of man. Whosoever receives this power is able to influence all with whom he comes into contact.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 173.

II. Will

Will is an act of volition, a deliberate choice. In relation to God, it is what He chooses for His own reasons, and at what time and manner the choices were made.

The Prophet Is Chosen

God chooses the Messengers through Bahá’u’lláh.

“We, of a truth, choose the Messengers through the potency of Our Word, and We exalt Their offspring, some over others, through the Great Remembrance of God as decreed in the Book and concealed therein...” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 45.

God chooses the Prophet.

“How can I thank Thee for having singled me out and chosen me above all Thy servants to reveal Thee, at a time when all had turned away from Thy beauty!” Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 20.

The Period in History of the Prophet’s Coming is Predestined

God has predestined the Prophet’s time.

“It is neither within your power nor mine to set the time at which it should be made manifest. God's inscrutable Wisdom hath fixed its hour beforehand. Be content, O people, with that which God hath desired for you and predestined unto you.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 102.

The Attempt on the Life of the Shah was Preordained

It appears that Bahá’u’lláh is stating that the attempt on the life of the Shah was a pre-ordained action, that the Shah might be given reason to reflect on what he had done.

“And when ye took away His life, one of His followers arose to avenge His death. He was unknown of men, and the design he had conceived was unnoticed by any one. Eventually he committed what had been preordained. It behoveth you, therefore, to attach blame to no one except to yourselves, for the things ye have committed, if ye but judge fairly. Who is there on the whole earth who hath done what ye have done? None, by Him Who is the Lord of all worlds!” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 221 – 222.

God preordains even the Amount of Revelation the Prophet Gives

Adam, the Prophet, and adam (mankind) are both the same word in Hebrew and in Arabic. Muhammad declares that Adam, the Prophet, was given a revelation by God that he then taught to adam (mankind).

Quran 2:37 Then learnt Adam from his Lord certain words, and his Lord Turned towards him; for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.

The things that happen to the Prophet are ordained.

“He who doeth good unto Me, it is as if he doeth good unto God, His angels and the entire company of His loved ones. He who doeth evil unto Me, it is as if he doeth evil unto God and His chosen ones. Nay, too exalted is the station of God and of His loved ones for any person's good or evil deed to reach their holy threshold. Whatever reacheth Me is ordained to reach Me; and that which hath come unto Me, to him who giveth will it revert. By the One in Whose hand is My soul, he hath cast no one but himself into prison. For assuredly whatsoever God hath decreed for Me shall come to pass and naught else save that which God hath ordained for us shall ever touch us. Woe betide him from whose hands floweth evil, and blessed the man from whose hands floweth good. Unto no one do I take My plaint save to God; for He is the best of judges. Every state of adversity or bliss is from Him alone, and He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 15.

The amount of information and revelation given by the Prophet in each revelation is ordained before hand.

“The measure of the Revelation with which every one of them hath been identified had been definitely fore-ordained. This, verily, is a token of Our favor unto them, if ye be of those that comprehend this truth.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 74.

Everything that the Revelation of God will bring forth within the dispensation of the Prophet is pre-ordained.

“It hath been decreed by Us that the Word of God and all the potentialities thereof shall be manifested unto men in strict conformity with such conditions as have been foreordained by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 76.

As an example, Muhammad and what He revealed in the Qur’án were also pre-ordained.

“Consider that which hath been sent down unto Muhammad, the Apostle of God. The measure of the Revelation of which He was the bearer had been clearly foreordained by Him Who is the Almighty, the All-Powerful.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 76.

The Death and Victory of the Prophet is Ordained

No ruler is given power over a Prophet except as God allows.

New Testament John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above

The death of Christ was both foreknown and also pre-determined.

New Testament Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain

Peter states that Jesus’ coming and Mission were preordained before the universe was created.

New Testament 1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God

God ordains the Prophet’s Revelation and victory.

“I swear by the glory of God, My Lord, the Most Exalted, the Most Great, He assuredly, as is divinely ordained, will make His Cause shine resplendent, while there will be no helper for the unjust. If thou hast any scheme, produce thy scheme. Indeed every revelation of authority proceedeth from God. In Him do I trust and unto Him do I turn.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 21.

The principle of pre-ordination or pre-destination:

“Ye cannot alter the things which the Almighty hath prescribed unto Me. Naught shall touch Me besides that which God, My Lord, hath pre-ordained for Me. In Him have I placed My whole trust and upon Him do the faithful place their complete reliance.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 27.

Determinism

The universe, apart from man, is under determinism. That is, each and everything is subject to laws from which it will not deviate, and each cause has a determined effect. The language of science – mathematics - is a prime example of determinism. 2+2=4 is predetermined. The answer to the equation will always be the same; any mathematical formulas and computations depend upon the fact that science’s language is determined from the outset. It will never come to an independent different answer.

“This Nature is subjected to an absolute organization, to determined laws, to a complete order and a finished design, from which it will never depart--to such a degree, indeed, that if you look carefully and with keen sight, from the smallest invisible atom up to such large bodies of the world of existence as the globe of the sun or the other great stars and luminous spheres, whether you regard their arrangement, their composition, their form or their movement, you will find that all are in the highest degree of organization and are under one law from which they will never depart.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 3.

In this area of determinism in nature, God is the Ruler, and is the Determiner.

“Now, when you behold in existence such organizations, arrangements and laws, can you say that all these are the effect of Nature, though Nature has neither intelligence nor perception? If not, it becomes evident that this Nature, which has neither perception nor intelligence, is in the grasp of Almighty God, Who is the Ruler of the world of Nature; whatever He wishes, He causes Nature to manifest.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 4.

Decrees of God of Two Kinds

There are two kinds of predestined events decreed by God. God is able to repeal or alter the first kind of predestined event, but the result of the repeal or alteration is worse than leaving the event as predestined. The second decree prayer may avert without side effects.

“Know thou, O fruit of My Tree, that the decrees of the Sovereign Ordainer, as related to fate and predestination, are of two kinds. Both are to be obeyed and accepted. The one is irrevocable, the other is, as termed by men, impending. To the former all must unreservedly submit, inasmuch as it is fixed and settled. God, however, is able to alter or repeal it. As the harm that must result from such a change will be greater than if the decree had remained unaltered, all, therefore, should willingly acquiesce in what God hath willed and confidently abide by the same.

The decree that is impending, however, is such that prayer and entreaty can succeed in averting it.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 132 – 133.

God Gives to and Withholds from Whomseoever He Wills

God does whatever He desires.

“In truth, it is in the hand of God to give what He willeth to whomsoever He willeth, and to withhold what He pleaseth from whomsoever He may wish.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 75.

God’s ordination is not to be questioned.

“Say: He ordaineth as He pleaseth, by virtue of His sovereignty, and doeth whatsoever He willeth at His own behest. He shall not be asked of the things it pleaseth Him to ordain. He, in truth, is the Unrestrained, the All-Powerful, the All-Wise.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 283.

God’s Will is supreme.

“Whomsoever Thou willest Thou causest to draw nigh unto the Most Great Ocean, and on whomsoever Thou desirest Thou conferrest the honor of recognizing Thy Most Ancient Name. Of all who are in heaven and on earth, none can withstand the operation of Thy sovereign Will.” Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 94.

God ordains whatsoever pleases Him.

“Verily, thy Lord is the One Who ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 15.

God is the Ordainer of things, and ours is submission to His Will.

“He doeth as He doeth, and what recourse have we? He carrieth out His Will, He ordaineth what He pleaseth. Then better for thee to bow down thy head in submission, and put thy trust in the All-Merciful Lord.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 55.

The Will of God Unalterable

God’s Will is immutable or unchanging.

New Testament Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath

Only God can alter His Own Will.

“. . .bear witness that Thy Sovereignty can never perish, nor Thy Will be altered. Ordain for them that have set their faces towards Thee, and for Thine handmaids that have held fast by Thy Cord, that which beseemeth the Ocean of Thy bounty and the Heaven of Thy grace.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 133.

That the Priests would ignore the Revelations that were to follow Jesus Christ is a thing that Bahá’u’lláh states was decreed by Jesus Christ Himself.

“O concourse of bishops! Ye are the stars of the heaven of My knowledge. My mercy desireth not that ye should fall upon the earth. My justice, however, declareth: `This is that which the Son hath decreed.' And whatsoever hath proceeded out of His blameless, His truth-speaking, trustworthy mouth, can never be altered.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 14.

Everything is numbered by God, Even the Unpleasant

God numbers everything.

Old Testament Job 7:3 So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.

Even dark and dreadful things can be irrevocably decreed.

“But inasmuch as dark, dreadful and dire calamity had been irrevocably ordained by the Will of God, the book was not submitted to thy presence. . .” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 13.

Your Life-span Is Predetermined

It is hard but true, the very days of our lives are numbered and the number is already determined before we are born.

Old Testament Job 14:5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass

The ordination of death and life are God’s, and He has determined already the length of each person’s life.

Qur’án 3:145 nor can a soul die except by God's leave, the term being fixed as by writing.

The Qur’án states that there is a decreed term of life for man. The second determined term mentioned by Muhammad here is the time until the coming of the Báb and the new Day of Judgment under the new Prophet.

Qur’án 6:2 He it is who created you from clay, and then decreed a stated term (for you). And there is in His presence another determined term; yet ye doubt within yourselves!

All Things Ordained

God ordains our movements.

“He ordaineth your movements at His behest throughout the day-time and in the night season.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 131.

God ordains all things.

“Thou art He Who from everlasting was, through the potency of His might, supreme over all things, and, through the operation of His will, was able to ordain all things.” Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 4.

Those Things Not Pre-Ordained Are Still Fore-known

While it is difficult to understand, there is a space in all this determinism for free will. God’s foreknowledge of an event is not the reason for its happening.

“This fore-knowledge of God, however, should not be regarded as having caused the actions of men, just as your own previous knowledge that a certain event is to occur, or your desire that it should happen, is not and can never be the reason for its occurrence.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 149.

Accepting What You Cannot Change

Nothing can happen to the righteous unless God permits it.

Qur’án 9:51 Nothing can befall us but what God hath destined for us.

All that God ordains is for our sake, and is what is best for us.

“Ask not of Me that which We desire not for thee, then be content with what We have ordained for thy sake, for this is that which profiteth thee, if therewith thou dost content thyself.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 18.

Many seeming calamities when viewed from the eternal, which sees both beginning and ending at one and the same time, will prove to be mercies and grace leading to life and growth.

“Indeed, his words were true, for he had found many a secret justice in this seeming tyranny of the watchman, and seen how many a mercy lay hid behind the veil.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 14.

III. Faith

To believe in a thing without absolute proof, though based on evidences.

Election and a Chosen People

Christ maintains that the choice to believe in Christ was not the apostles. Rather, it was Christ’s choice of them that made them believers.

New Testament John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Luke declares that the Lord calls those to whom He has made a promise of salvation.

New Testament Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

While some Bahá’ís take up the error that Paul was a kind of Covenant-Breaker of the Christian Faith, this is far from the truth. `Abdu’l-Bahá quotes him, and explains some things which he wrote. The Bible itself has Peter declaring that Paul has written Scripture. Paul is declared by Luke to have been a chosen instrument to bring the teachings of Christ to the Gentile nations.

New Testament Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

Paul states that during the Dispensation of Christ, God will choose to have believers in Him.

New Testament Romans 1:5 - 6 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ

According to Paul, the Lord works all things to achieve His good purposes for those He has chosen. He both has foreknowledge of who will believe, but also He has foreordained that those who believe will become more and more virtuous.

New Testament Romans 8:28 – 30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

God has chosen those who believe before the world was made so that we might praise His grace, and that we might act like sons of God (that is, like brothers. Romans, Greeks, Jews, and Barbarians were all to come under the Christian brotherhood). Indeed, it was this title “Son of God” that Jesus was given to show that all men are brothers, Jew and Gentile.

New Testament Ephesians 1:4 - 6 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

As `Abdu’l-Bahá has stated in Some Answered Question that the philanthropist who does not believe, the good works are incomplete and not a means of getting into the Abha Kingdom, but rather believe in Bahá’u’lláh first and then works. So too, Paul says eternal life is the gift of God. Works before belief will not get a man into the kingdom. Rather believe in the Prophet, and then works will be fully acceptable to God.

New Testament Ephesians 2:7 - 10 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

God has throughout history chosen or elected certain peoples over others for the promotion of His Cause. Usually, such election was given to the most undeserving of peoples so that when He improved their morals and spiritual condition it could not be claimed it was on their merit that they accomplished great things. The glory would have to be given to God and His Prophet.

Quran 2:47 Children of Israel! call to mind the (special) favour which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all other (for My Message).

The people of Israel are an example of the election of God. He chooses them and prefers them for the recipients of His Revelation above other nations at one time.

Qur’án 2:122 O Children of Israel! call to mind the special favour which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all others (for My Message).

The Prophets come through a divine election of God as well.

Qur’án 2:130 And who turns away from the religion of Abraham but such as debase their souls with folly? Him We chose and rendered pure in this world: And he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the Righteous.

God leads the believers by His grace, and guides by His Own Will whosoever He desires.

Qur’án 2:213 God by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For God guided whom He will to a path that is straight.

Again:

Qur’án 2:272 God sets on the right path whom He pleaseth.

Again:

Qur’án 2:284 He forgiveth whom He pleaseth, and punisheth whom He pleaseth, for God hath power over all things.

Those who are chosen to receive the Revelation from the Prophet are also specially elected to do so.

Qur’án 3:73 – 74 Say: "All bounties are in the hand of God: He granteth them to whom He pleaseth: And God careth for all, and He knoweth all things." For His Mercy He specially chooseth whom He pleaseth; for God is the Lord of bounties unbounded.

Muhammad is quite clear as well that no one can even believe except by God’s Will.

Qur’án 10:100 No soul can believe, except by the will of God

God guides whomever He chooses for His Own reasons.

“Say, verily unto Him shall all return, and He is the One Who guideth at His Own behest whomsoever He pleaseth.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 9.

God causes the believer to enter under His mercy.

“He causeth him whom He pleaseth to enter the shadow of His Mercy. Verily, He is the Supreme Protector, the All-Generous.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 77.

God reveals and calls before we can worship Him.

“I have known Thee, O my God, by reason of Thy making Thyself known unto me, for hadst Thou not revealed Thyself unto me, I would not have known Thee. I worship Thee by virtue of Thy summoning me unto Thee, for had it not been for Thy summons I would not have worshipped Thee.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 203.

The Christian, particularly Calvinist and Lutheran, have a term called the election of God, in which the saved, though called, can only answer God because God has first already elected to save them. In other words, salvation is offered to everyone, but only those God has fore-ordained have been enabled by God to both hear, as does everyone, and answer His call to them. `Abdu’l-Bahá indicates that this idea of election has merit – that, indeed, God does single out those who will receive the bestowal of guidance.

“As to you, O ye loved ones of God! Loose your tongues and offer Him thanks; praise ye and glorify the Beauty of the Adored One, for ye have drunk from this purest of chalices, and ye are cheered and set aglow with this wine. Ye have detected the sweet scents of holiness, ye have smelled the musk of faithfulness from Joseph's raiment. Ye have fed on the honey-dew of loyalty from the hands of Him Who is the one alone Beloved, ye have feasted on immortal dishes at the bounteous banquet table of the Lord. This plenty is a special favour bestowed by a loving God, these are blessings and rare gifts deriving from His grace. In the Gospel He saith: `For many are called, but few are chosen.' (Matthew 22:14) That is, to many is it offered, but rare is the soul who is singled out to receive the great bestowal of guidance. `Such is the bounty of God: to whom He will He giveth it, and of immense bounty is God.' (Qur’án 57:21)” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 11.

Hardness of Heart By God

Muhammad points out, like Jesus before Him, that God has placed a seal on some hearts that they see and see not, and hear and hear not, the Word of God. What this means appears to be that God allows those who obstinately want to go their own way, to go their own way. By not interfering with their natural dispositions to faith, He permits them, though He does not desire it, to take the road to hell.

Qur’án 2:6 - 7 As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe. God hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; great is the penalty they (incur).

The hearts of those who shut themselves out from the Manifestation are straitened.

“Consider how at the time of the appearance of every Revelation, those who open their hearts to the Author of that Revelation recognize the Truth, while the hearts of those who fail to apprehend the Truth are straitened by reason of their shutting themselves out from Him. However, openness of heart is bestowed by God upon both parties alike. God desireth not to straiten the heart of anyone, be it even an ant, how much less the heart of a superior creature, except when he suffereth himself to be wrapt in veils, for God is the Creator of all things.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 133.

Fate, Predestination, and Free Will

The Will of God controls predestination and fate. Fate is the manifestation of predetermined relationships in the world, and the Will of God predestines the relationships that are necessary between things, like mass and gravity.

“Thou hadst asked about fate, predestination and will. Fate and predestination consist in the necessary and indispensable relationships which exist in the realities of things. These relationships have been placed in the realities of existent beings through the power of creation and every incident is a consequence of the necessary relationship. For example, God hath created a relation between the sun and the terrestrial globe that the rays of the sun should shine and the soil should yield. These relationships constitute predestination, and the manifestation thereof in the plane of existence is fate. Will is that active force which controlleth these relationships and these incidents. Such is the epitome of the explanation of fate and predestination. I have no time for a detailed explanation. Ponder over this; the reality of fate, predestination and will shall be made manifest.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 207 – 208.

Free Will Still Exists

We still have our will.

“No sooner did the hosts of true knowledge appear, bearing the standards of Divine utterance, than the tribes of the religions were put to flight, save only those who willed to drink from the stream of everlasting life in a Paradise created by the breath of the All-Glorious.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 47.

Everyman’s capacity is pre-ordained, but man is given volition to fill that pre-ordained capacity or to let it remain more or less empty.

“And now, concerning thy question regarding the creation of man. Know thou that all men have been created in the nature made by God, the Guardian, the Self-Subsisting. Unto each one hath been prescribed a pre-ordained measure, as decreed in God's mighty and guarded Tablets. All that which ye potentially possess can, however, be manifested only as a result of your own volition. Your own acts testify to this truth.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 148.

In particular the choice to do good or evil is left to man himself, though under all circumstances he is dependent upon the help of God.

“In the same way, in all the action or inaction of man, he receives power from the help of God; but the choice of good or evil belongs to the man himself.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 250.

Repentance and Forgiveness

God seeks to forgive. He always turns to us in forgiveness if we repent and seek it.

Qur’án 2:54 Then He turned towards you (in forgiveness): For He is Oft- Returning, Most Merciful.

Muhammad states that God wants us to seek forgiveness and to repent of our evil deeds.

Qur’án 11:3 "(And to preach thus), 'Seek ye the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance; that He may grant you enjoyment, good (and true), for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding grace on all who abound in merit! But if ye turn away, then I fear for you the penalty of a great day:

Forgiveness will be granted to those who believe.

“As to those who truly believe in God and are well assured in the signs revealed by Him, perchance He will graciously forgive them the things their hands have committed, and will grant them admission into the precincts of His mercy. He, in truth, is the Ever-Forgiving, the Compassionate.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 20.

If we repent before God, Bahá’u’lláh states, God will forgive us. The only known condition for forgiveness is true repentance.

“. . . let repentance be between yourselves and God. He, verily, is the Pardoner, the Bounteous, the Gracious, the One Who absolveth the repentant.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 32.

Even in the matter of forgiveness, however, we must remember it is ultimately not our work that obligates God to forgive us, but rather our repentance and His election or free choice to do whatever He may desire including forgiving us that is the issue.

“Should anyone be afflicted by a sin, it behoveth him to repent thereof and return unto his Lord. He, verily, granteth forgiveness unto whomsoever He willeth, and none may question that which it pleaseth Him to ordain. He is, in truth, the Ever-Forgiving, the Almighty, the All-Praised.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 39.

Belief in God through the Prophet causes sins to be forgiven.

“Whosoever acknowledged His truth and turned unto Him, his good works outweighed his misdeeds, and all his sins were remitted and forgiven.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 73.

First must be the seeking of God’s forgiveness, and forgiveness is given because of the suffering of the Prophets. It is both our sins and also our knowledge of them that keeps us back from approaching God. The words, which the recipient of the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf was directed to recite, in both this passage and in the one that follows, bear this out:

“Thou seest the sinner, O my Lord, who hath turned towards the dawning-place of Thy forgiveness and Thy bounty, and the mountain of iniquity that hath sought the heaven of Thy mercy and pardon. Alas, alas! My mighty sins have prevented me from approaching the court of Thy mercy, and my monstrous deeds have caused me to stray far from the sanctuary of Thy presence.” Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 5.

No matter how great our rebelliousness, we can be forgiven. God will forbear and His grace will seek to stop that rebelliousness and forgive it - if we will repent.

“As mine iniquities waxed greater and greater, Thy forbearance towards me augmented, and as the fire of my rebelliousness grew fiercer, the more did Thy forgiveness and Thy grace seek to smother up its flame.” Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 6

How great is God’s grace! By it we are forgiven when we repent.

“Thus have We recounted unto you the tales of the one true God, and sent down unto you the things He had preordained, that haply ye may ask forgiveness of Him, may return unto Him, may truly repent, may realize your misdeeds, may shake off your slumber, may be roused from your heedlessness, may atone for the things that have escaped you, and be of them that do good. Let him who will, acknowledge the truth of My words; and as to him that willeth not, let him turn aside. My sole duty is to remind you of your failure in duty towards the Cause of God, if perchance ye may be of them that heed My warning. Wherefore, hearken ye unto My speech, and return ye to God and repent, that He, through His grace, may have mercy upon you, may wash away your sins, and forgive your trespasses. The greatness of His mercy surpasseth the fury of His wrath, and His grace encompasseth all who have been called into being and been clothed with the robe of life, be they of the past or of the future.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 130.

The fate of those who repudiate the testimony of God and His proof is that for such there is no forgiveness.

“And woe betide him who hath rejected the grace of God and His bounty, and hath denied His tender mercy and authority; such a man is indeed reckoned with those who have throughout eternity repudiated the testimony of God and His proof.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 48.

The unforgivable sin is refusing the Holy Spirit as manifested by the Prophet - this refusal continuing until death itself overtakes the soul.

“It is evident that the souls receive grace from the bounty of the Holy Spirit which appears in the Manifestations of God, and not from the personality of the Manifestation. Therefore, if a soul does not receive grace from the bounties of the Holy Spirit, he remains deprived of the divine gift, and the banishment itself puts the soul beyond the reach of pardon.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 128.

Prayer

When we ask for things from the God, we should be assured that whatever answer He gives, it will be for good and not evil.

New Testament Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Prayer for the dead is acceptable. The believers on the other side also pray for us. This is a sacred communion. However, Muhammad is clear that we should not pray for the dead who actively opposed the Faith until their last.

Qur’án 9:113 It is not fitting, for the Prophet and those who believe, that they should pray for forgiveness for Pagans, even though they be of kin, after it is clear to them that they are companions of the Fire.

The prayers of those who do not believe in God are useless and vain.

Qur’án 13:14 For Him (alone) is prayer in Truth: any others that they call upon besides Him hear them no more than if they were to stretch forth their hands for water to reach their mouths but it reaches them not: for the prayer of those without Faith is nothing but (futile) wandering (in the mind).

Muhammad says the Angels of Heaven pray for the forgiveness of all beings on earth.

Qur’án 42:5 The heavens are almost rent asunder from above them (by His Glory): and the angels celebrate the Praises of their Lord, and pray for forgiveness for (all) beings on earth: Behold! Verily God is He, the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Prayer in the Bahá’í House of Worship is a powerful thing. And, prayer fills the soul with the light of God.

“Then, with radiance and joy, celebrate therein the praise of your Lord, the Most Compassionate. Verily, by His remembrance the eye is cheered and the heart is filled with light.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 31.

Bahá’u’lláh has elevated work itself to a form of worship when done in a spirit of service to mankind.

“O people of Bahá! It is incumbent upon each one of you to engage in some occupation--such as a craft, a trade or the like. We have exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship of the one true God. Reflect, O people, on the grace and blessings of your Lord, and yield Him thanks at eventide and dawn.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 31.

God answers prayer when it is necessary.

“God is merciful. In His mercy He answers the prayers of all His servants when according to His supreme wisdom it is necessary.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 247.

Prayer can heal, but sometimes a physical remedy is needed.

“Disease is of two kinds: material and spiritual.

Take for instance, a cut hand; if you pray for the cut to be healed and do not stop its bleeding, you will not do much good; a material remedy is needed.

Sometimes if the nervous system is paralyzed through fear, a spiritual remedy is necessary. Madness, incurable otherwise,. can be cured through prayer. It often happens that sorrow makes one ill, this can be cured by spiritual means.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 65.

The Importance of Deeds or Works

Deeds do count.

Old Testament Isaiah 3:10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

Faith should produce good works, and when these works are seen among men they will give glory to God for the grace He has given to perform those works.

New Testament Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

While the whole passage speaks of the spiritually dead, those in the graves of self will hear the Voice of God in the Revelation of Christ. The idea is that those who have done good will be raised to spiritual life, and those who have done evil to a life of condemnation or damnation, depending on the translation. Here the doing of good is rewarded because of belief in Christ which raises to new life, while doing evil is what has occurred to those who hear and refuse to believe. All the good works they have done will not save them from the condemnation that they rejected the Messiah. While Christ uses this as a teaching concerning Himself, He refers it to the future as it also applies to Muhammad and the Prophets that come after Him.

New Testament John 5:28 - 29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

You must explain your deeds after your death.

“Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 31.

Faith and Works

One of the earliest written works purporting to contain the Words of the Manifestation of God is the Bhagavad-Gita. In it the Lord Krishna declares Himself to be a Manifestation of the Godhead. Krishna states that it is best to hold onto Faith in Him until the end.

“Worship Me well, with hearts of love and faith, And find and hold me in the hour of death.” Hindu Texts, Bhagavad-Gita

Krishna demands that we hold to the Manifestation of God first, and then do our deeds for His sake.

“By this same love and worship doth he know Me as I am, how high and wonderful, And knowing, straightway enters into Me. And whatsoever deeds he doeth- fixed In Me, as in his refuge- he hath won For ever and for ever by My grace The Eternal Rest! So win thou! In thy thoughts Do all thou dost for Me! Renounce for Me! Sacrifice heart and mind and will to Me! Live in the faith of Me! In faith of Me All dangers thou shalt vanquish, by My grace” Hindu Texts, Bhagavad-Gita

Krishna has belief in Him as the first and most important step to eternal life.

“Give Me thy heart! adore Me! serve Me! cling In faith and love and reverence to Me! So shalt thou come to Me! I promise true, For thou art sweet to Me!” Hindu Texts, Bhagavad-Gita

Martin Luther used this verse, as did John Calvin during the Christian Reformation, to insist that Faith is the first thing and not works when it comes to salvation. I believe the verse does indicate that just men live by Faith. Equally, it means that salvation comes from faith and deeds come from Faith. Only a just man who is attempting to do good works will have the faith necessary to live in that condition. It is somewhat circular both Faith and Works, depend on each other.

Old Testament Habakkuk 2:4 . . . the just shall live by his faith.

Bahá’ís sometimes wrongly feel that Paul believed that faith in Jesus alone saved, and that works were not important. They believe he stated that deeds were not necessary. A closer look at Paul would indicate that is not the case. He declares that once faith in Jesus occurs, the believer should outwardly manifest that with righteous deeds. He does, however, agree with the Prophets that Faith must first occur before a man may be righteous. However good our works, compared to God they are nothing. It is God’s love and grace that permit what we do as believers to be acceptable. It is the same with praise and prayer according to Bahá’u’lláh. No praise can reach God; His grace permits us to praise Him although the praise is inadequate.

New Testament Romans 4:5 - 8 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Paul is clear that faith in Christ in his day was the means of salvation and eternal life, and not ceremonies and animal sacrifice, circumcision and the like. He is equally clear that we will be judged according to the deeds we have done as well.

New Testament 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Paul shows the harmony of faith and deeds. Faith in the Prophet must outwork itself in deeds that flow through the love of the believer.

New Testament Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

The Apostle John states that keeping the commandments of Christ was a proof that one believes.

New Testament 1 John 2:3 - 4 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Muhammad declares that it is not in ceremonies of worship, or in doing any action, but Faith in God and His Prophet that brings righteousness. Of course, after Faith this righteousness, which is imputed to the believer by God, will outwardly begin to manifest itself in righteous deeds such as those listed by Muhammad. However, without the first impulse of Faith and belief, there is no impetus to carry out such deeds.

Qur’án 2:177 It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing.

Muhammad lists faith and then works, in that order, as important. Indeed, once Faith occurs, the deeds that will be rewarded are the best of our actions and not the worst.

Qur’án 16:97 Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.

Again concerning Faith and Deeds Muhammad says:

Qur’án 41:8 For those who believe and work deeds of righteousness is a reward that will never fail.

The best of people are those who not only do works that are good but have faith in the Prophet as well.

Qur’án 98:7 Those who have faith and do righteous deeds,- they are the best of creatures.

The first requirement is Faith in the Prophet.

“Whosoever hath recognized Me, hath known all that is true and right, and hath attained all that is good and seemly; and whosoever hath failed to recognize Me, hath turned away from all that is true and right and hath succumbed to everything evil and unseemly.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 11.

The Bab is the “Face of God” to man. He has revealed this prayer for us which shows how no deed can we accomplish that can earn us the “right” of beholding the Prophet. Such a favor is dependent not on works, but on the mercy, loving-kindness, and bounty of God.

“No deed have I done, O my God, to merit beholding Thy face, and I know of a certainty that were I to live as long as the world lasts I would fail to accomplish any deed such as to deserve this favour, inasmuch as the station of a servant shall ever fall short of access to Thy holy precincts, unless Thy bounty should reach me and Thy tender mercy pervade me and Thy loving-kindness encompass me.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 191.

Faith in God’s Messenger comes first. Only then are deeds acceptable.

“Were a man to rear in this world as many edifices as possible and worship God through every virtuous deed which God's knowledge embraceth, and attain the presence of the Lord, and were he, even to a measure less than that which is accountable before God, to bear in his heart a trace of malice towards Me, all his deeds would be reduced to naught and he would be deprived of the glances of God's favour, become the object of His wrath and assuredly perish.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 11.

Works come after faith and belief in God’s Messenger.

“Ever since the Cause of thy Lord hath appeared none of thy deeds hath been acceptable, and thou hast been lost in palpable error while all thou couldst see appeared to thee as deeds performed for the sake of thy Lord. In truth thy day is nigh at hand and thou shalt be questioned concerning all this, and assuredly God is not heedless of the deeds of the wicked.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 25.

Faith allows attainment of man’s highest station.

“Man's highest station, however, is attained through faith in God in every Dispensation and by acceptance of what hath been revealed by Him...” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 89.

The primacy of the Writings of the One Whom God shall make manifest (Bahá'u'lláh).

“And should anyone inscribe with true faith but one letter of that Revelation, his recompense would be greater than for inscribing all the heavenly Writings of the past and all that has been written during previous Dispensations. Likewise continue thou to ascend through one Revelation after another, knowing that thy progress in the Knowledge of God shall never come to an end, even as it can have no beginning.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 91.

The attainment of the all-highest Paradise is through the recognition of Bahá'u'lláh.

“On the Day of His manifestation (Bahá'u'lláh), unless thou truly believest in Him, naught can save thee from the fire, even if thou dost perform every righteous deed. If thou embracest the Truth, everything good and seemly shall be set down for thee in the Book of God, and by virtue of this thou wilt rejoice in the all-highest Paradise until the following Resurrection.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 110.

While works will show that Faith exists, it is Faith first that saves us from the regrets and fires of hell.

“Regard not the all-sufficing power of God as an idle fancy. It is that genuine faith which thou cherishest for the Manifestation of God in every Dispensation. It is such faith which sufficeth above all the things that exist on the earth, whereas no created thing on earth besides faith would suffice thee. If thou art not a believer, the Tree of divine Truth would condemn thee to extinction. If thou art a believer, thy faith shall be sufficient for thee above all things that exist on earth, even though thou possess nothing.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 123.

Recognition of the Manifestation and observance of every revealed ordinance is the first duty of the servants of God. Faith and works are both required in order to be acceptable.

“The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good; and whoso is deprived thereof hath gone astray, though he be the author of every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Source of Divine inspiration.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 21.

Belief and faith in the Prophet come before deeds.

“Were anyone to wash the feet of all mankind, and were he to worship God in the forests, valleys, and mountains, upon high hills and lofty peaks, to leave no rock or tree, no clod of earth, but was a witness to his worship--yet, should the fragrance of My good pleasure not be inhaled from him, his works would never be acceptable unto God. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Lord of all.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 32 – 33.

Deeds are only acceptable after belief in the Prophet.

“Make not your deeds as snares wherewith to entrap the object of your aspiration, and deprive not yourselves of this Ultimate Objective for which have ever yearned all such as have drawn nigh unto God. Say: The very life of all deeds is My good pleasure, and all things depend upon Mine acceptance.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 33.

Again on this topic:

“Man's actions are acceptable after his having recognized (the Manifestation).” Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 61.

The twin inseparable duties are recognition of the Manifestation and observance of His ordinances. Deeds and Faith, grace and works, are both needed.

“The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Day Spring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good; and whoso is deprived thereof, hath gone astray, though he be the author of every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Source of Divine inspiration.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 329 – 330.

Faith and service (works) are explained symbolically by `Abdu’l-Bahá to be like magnets.

“Faith is the magnet which draws the confirmation of the Merciful One. . . Service is the magnet which attracts the Heavenly Strength.” `Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Pearls, p. 3.

Faith that is real is faith that has action or deeds.

“How can one increase in faith? You must strive. A child does not know, in learning he obtains knowledge. search for Truth.

There are three kinds of Faith: first, that which is from tradition and birth. For example: a child is born of Muhammadan parents, he is a Muhammadan.

This faith is weak traditional faith: second, that which comes from Knowledge, and is the faith of understanding. This is good, but there is a better, the faith of practice. This is real faith.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 64 – 65.

`Abdu’l-Bahá states that the knowledge of God (not an intellectual knowledge that there is a Creator, but the actual understanding and faith in God’s Manifestation for the Age) is necessary for salvation. The product of this faith is good works. Yet, those who do not believe, but have good character and principles, will likely receive some pardon from God. Nevertheless, good actions without faith in God’s Manifestation cannot be the cause of salvation.

“...the foundation of success and salvation is the knowledge of God, and that the results of the knowledge of God are the good actions which are the fruits of faith.

If man has not this knowledge, he will be separated from God, and when this separation exists, good actions have not complete effect. This verse does not mean that the souls separated from God are equal, whether they perform good or bad actions. It signifies only that the foundation is to know God, and the good actions result from this knowledge. Nevertheless, it is certain that between the good, the sinners and the wicked who are veiled from God there is a difference. For the veiled one who has good principles and character deserves the pardon of God, while he who is a sinner, and has bad qualities and character, is deprived of the bounties and blessings of God. Herein lies the difference.

Therefore, the blessed verse means that good actions alone, without the knowledge of God, cannot be the cause of eternal salvation, everlasting success, and prosperity, and entrance into the Kingdom of God.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 238.

The Justice of God and His Mercy

Even in judgment, God tempers His justice with mercy.

Old Testament Job 11:6 Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

God is just and the unjust will suffer punishment in the next life. But according to Muhammad, the Will of God may even commute the sentence of hell. The key in this is the verse stating “except as thy Lord Willeth.”

Qur’án 11:106 - 107 Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs: They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: for thy Lord is the (sure) accomplisher of what He planneth.

Sometimes what we view as difficulties are from God and are part of His Mercy to us.

“Hardship is the reality of Mercy.” `Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Pearls, p. 4.

---

---

Bibliography

Books by the Báb:

The Báb. Selections From the Writings of the Báb, First Edition. Chatham, England: W & J Mackay Limited, 1978.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Books by Bahá’u’lláh:

Bahá’u’lláh. Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, 1988 Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1988.

Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Revised Edition. Norwich, England: Fletcher and Son Ltd., 1978.

Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, 1986 Edition. Oxford, England: Oneworld Publications Ltd., 1990.

Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitab-i-Aqdas, The Most Holy Book, First Pocket-size Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1993.

Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitab-i-Iqan, The Book of Certitude, Third Edition. London, England: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982.

Bahá’u’lláh. Prayers and Meditations, First Pocket-size Edition Reprinted. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1998.

Bahá’u’lláh. The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, 4^th Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1991.

Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, 1^st US Hardcover Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1994.

Books by `Abdu’l-Bahá:

`Abdu’l-Bahá. `Abdu’l-Bahá in London, 1982 Reprint. Oakham, England: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982.

`Abdu’l-Bahá. Divine Pearls, New Edition. Roswell, NM: Mother Bahá’í Council of the United States of America, Undated.

`Abdu’l-Bahá. Memorials of the Faithful, First Softcover Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1997.

`Abdu’l-Bahá. Paris Talks, Addresses Given by `Abdu’l-Bahá in 1911, 1999 Edition. Ontario, Canada: Nine Pines Publishing, 1999.

`Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace, New 1982 Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982.

`Abdu’l-Bahá. The Secret of Divine Civilization, First Pocket-size Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1990.

`Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of `Abdu’l-Bahá, First Pocket-size Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1997.

`Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions, First Pocket-size Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1999.

`Abdu’l-Bahá. Tablets of `Abdu’l-Bahá, Volumes I and II, Immerse Electronic Edition. Other information unavailable.

`Abdu’l-Bahá. Tablets of the Divine Plan, First Pocket-size Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1993.

`Abdu’l-Bahá. A Traveler’s Narrative, 1980 Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1980.

`Abdu’l-Bahá. Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahá, 1992 Edition. Roswell, NM: Mother Bahá’í Council of the United States, 1992.

Books by Shoghi Effendi:

Shoghi Effendi. The Advent of Divine Justice, First Pocket-size Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1990.

Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Administration, Selected Messages 1922 – 1932, 1998 Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1998.

Shoghi Effendi. Citadel of Faith, Messages to America 1947 – 1957, Sixth Printing. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1999.

Shoghi Effendi. God Passes By, New Edition 1974. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1999.

Shoghi Effendi. Messages to the Antipodes, Communications from Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá’í Communities of Australasia, First Edition. Mona Vale, Australia: Bahá’í Publications Australia, 1997.

Shoghi Effendi. Messages to Canada, Second Edition. Ontario, Canada: Bahá’í Canada Publications, 1999.

Shoghi Effendi. Messages of Shoghi Effendi to the Indian Subcontinent 1923 – 1957, Revised and Enlarged Edition. New Delhi, India: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1995.

Shoghi Effendi. The Promised Day Is Come, First Pocket-size Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahai Publishing Trust, 1996.

Shoghi Effendi. Selected Writings of Shoghi Effendi, Revised Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1975.

Shoghi Effendi. Unforlding Destiny, the Messages from the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith to the Bahá’í Community of the British Isles, First Edition. London, England: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1981.

Shoghi Effendi. The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, Selected Letters, First Pocket-size Edition. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1991.

Books by Mason Remey:

Charles Mason Remey. First Encyclical Letter, Herald of the Covenant Second Printing March 1997. Australia and Roswell, NM: Orthodox Bahá’ís of Australia and the United States, July 1986.

Charles Mason Remey. Proclamation to the Bahá’ís of the World through the Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States of America Assembled at Wilmette, Illinois Ridvan 117 Bahá’í Era, Herald of the Covenant Second Printing March 1997. Australia and Roswell, NM: Orthodox Bahá’ís of the Australia and the United States, July 1986.

Charles Mason Remey. The Writings of the Second Guardian from 1962 – 1966, First Edition. Roswell, NM: Compiled by Hand of the Cause of God Frank Schlatter under the auspices of the Provisional National Bahá’í Council of the U.S., 2001.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Books by Joel B. Marangella:

Joel B. Marangella. The Bahá’í Faith, A Summary of Its Aims, Teachings and History, Second Edition. Roswell, NM: Mother Bahá’í Council of the United States, 1993.

Joel B. Marangella. A Brief History of the Violation of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh at the World Center of the Bahá’í Faith following the Passing of the First Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, Herald of the Covenant Special Edition Second Printing March 1997. Roswell, NM: Orthodox Bahá’í Faith, Winter 1974 - 1975.

Joel B. Marangella. Commentary on the Proclamation of Shoghi Effendi 9 January 1951 (Key to the Continuity of the Guardianship), Herald of the Covenant Second Printing March 1997. Australia and Roswell, NM: The Orthodox Bahá’ís of Australia and the United States, July 1986.

Joel B. Marangella. Commentary on the Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahá, Herald of the Covenant. Australia: Orthodox Bahá’ís of Australia, January 1985.

Joel B. Marangella. A Critique Revealing Erroneous Statements and Interpretations Pertaining to the Continuity of the Guardianship in Adib Taherzadeh’s Book “The Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh”, Herald of the Covenant Special Edition. Roswell, NM: The Mother

Bahá’í Council of the United States, June 1999.

Joel B. Marangella. Even Now, I Could Also Sign It, First Edition. Australia: Guardian’s Homepage Website, July 2001.

Joel B. Marangella. The Illegitimate Reign of the “Custodians” at the Bahá’í World Center that was Never Meant to Be, Herald of the Covenant. Roswell, NM: Provisional National Bahá’í Council of the United States, November 2000.

Joel B. Marangella. The Uninterrupted View, Statements of the Third Guardian 1969 – 1992, Volume I, First Edition. Compiled by Hand of the Cause of God Frank Schlatter. Roswell, NM: 1994.

Joel B. Marangella. The Uninterrupted View, Statements of the Third Guardian 1969 – 1992, Volume II, First Edition. Compiled by Hand of the Cause of God Frank Schlatter. Roswell, NM: 1994.

Joel B. Marangella. What is the Meaning of Loyalty to the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh and Who are the Present Day Covenant-Breakers?, Herald of the Covenant Special Edition. Roswell, NM: Editorial Board of the Orthodox Bahá’í Faith in the United States, November 1977.

Books by Various Souces:

Buddha. Dhammapada, Bahá’í Electronic Library. Other Information Unknown.

Buddha. Dialogues of the Buddha, First Edition. London, England: Humphrey Milford Publisher, between 1899 – 1921.

Buddha. Metta Sutta, Bahá’í Electronic Library. Other Information Unknown.

Compilation. Principles of Bahá’í Administration, Fourth Edition. Norwich, Great Britain: Fletcher and Son, Ltd., 1976.

Fozdar, Jamshed. The God of Buddha, European Edition. Ariccia, Italy: Casa Editrice Bahá’í, 1995.

Frank Schlatter.. The Hands of the Cause and “The Chicago Manifesto”, First Edition. Roswell, NM: Schlatter Publishing, Undated.

King James Version. The Holy Bible, 1611 Edition. Any publisher.

Krishna. Bhagavad-Gita, The Celestial Song, Bahá’í Electronic Library, Other Information Unknown.

Momen, Moojan. Buddhism and the Bahá’í Faith, First Edition. Oxford, England: George Ronald Publisher, 1995.

Muhammad. The Qur’an, Immerse Electronic Edition. Other information unavailable.

Muhammad. The Holy Qur-an, English translation of the meanings and Commentary, 1410 A.H. Edition. Madina, Saudi Arabia: King Fahd Holy Qur-an Printing Complex, 1410 A.H.

New King James Version. The Holy Bible, 4th Edition. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994.

Orthodox Bahá’í Faith. The Covenant from Bahá’u’lláh to the Year 2000, First Edition. Roswell, NM: Orthodox Bahá’í Faith, November 2000.

Sifter – Star of the West. Star of the West, Complete 25 Volumes in Elelctronic Form with Images and fully Searchable Text, First Edition. United States: Talisman Educational Software, 2001.

_____________________________