Is it enough not to do evil?

November formally lands boiling over with questions on faith in God. Since I had written a couple of religious stuff in the previous issues of this paper, I rummaged through one of the products of my early glorious moments at writing and thought of publishing a non-sequitur-like entry such as this.

Action without faith, is it enough? To do good and not evil; is it a guarantee of getting a place up there in the vast kingdom of God?

They say it is easy to be among the millions who are rejoicing in the heavens. They say that a place has already been set for us – a place surrounded by God’s infinite goodness. But can the grace be granted to those who are unprepared and undeserving individuals?

There is a moral foundation of the universe that in every effect there is always a cause. In every action there is always a counterpart reaction. It equally applies to human beings. I presume in every religion you’ll hear that “as ye sow, shall ye reap.” We get what we deserve.

We see it around. People do charity works and devote their time and service for the less fortunate others. Few make sure to live their lives in an upright and blameless way. What returns are rightly due for these be worthy of honor individuals? Read: he who plants melons, reap melons; he who does good, begets good.

I am sure that God is happy for these people. On the other hand, I am also sure that He is happier for those who recognize and acknowledge His presence. True, there are those who do generous deeds but very poor in spirit. Will God open His arms for them in acceptance? No doubt, he will. His mercy is incomparable and beyond measure.

A national magazine in my country once ran a very miraculous story of a lady who was sick of sclerosis (a hardening of a body part or tissue), was wearing a full body brace and had to be physically transported to places. Doctors had given up hope on her and that she almost died a couple of times already. But alas, she outlived it, survived the doctor’s death sentence and bears no trace of having the disease at all. How did she do it? Did she spend all her days healing her body?

The lady is a deeply spiritual person. For years she has prayed religiously, despite her own helpless state, not just for her own sake but for others too who needed most of her prayers. Her heart goes out beyond her own needs. Today, she has recovered and enjoyed sharing meaningful services to everybody else. With the miraculous event that happened in her life, she did not forget to thank the one responsible for it. She believes that by doing good and at the same time experiencing God’s power; it will create a happiness that no one could ever, ever give and achieve. She was healed because she qualified for it. Not only had she became a true disciple of God but also a true servant to all.

The law is so simple and just. No one can easily inherit the kingdom. The good thing is, the deserving had already been reserved.

We claim that if the sun shines on both the sinner and the saint, how come that most of the time the good suffers while the immoral and the corrupt turn out well and prosper. This is just an illusion. Continuously, life keeps books and records on all of us. If we have our own tally sheets so does life. In there, can be found all our liabilities and holdings. In there, can be revealed all our strengths and weaknesses, triumphs and defeats, failures and accomplishments. After all, we are the sum total of all our actions.

When we serve humanity and be of service to Him, then we may be worthy and entitled of God’s assistance and rewards, which come in various forms and many folds including a place set in heaven.

Finally, to reserve a space up above, we aim for good and not evil. Also note that God wishes to let Himself shine in our midst. Hence, let us ask ourselves what we can do to serve the Supreme Best and His flock. May we not wait to be trapped in a hopeless situation, to be gasping for breath, just to know God’s mercy and love.

Is it enough not to do evil? Yes, but when we couple it with faith and trust, praise and thanksgiving to the one and only source of all good things to come, God will smile even more. Only then we can draw our rewards when we have saved enough.