Man’s Faith in God Is So Unsightly to Behold

I
Many who follow God are only concerned
with how to gain blessings
or stave off disaster.
As soon as God’s work and management
are mentioned,
they fall silent and lose all interest.
They think understanding
such tedious issues
will not help their lives to grow
or provide any benefit.
Consequently,
although they’ve heard information
about God’s management,
they approach it in an unserious manner.
They do not see it as something precious
to be accepted,
much less do they comprehend it
by taking it as a part of their life.
The purpose of these people
in following God is very simple,
and it’s for a single goal: to be blessed.
These people cannot be bothered
to pay attention to anything else
that has nothing to do with this goal.
II
Man’s relationship with God
is merely one of naked self-interest.
It’s a relationship
between a receiver and a giver of blessings.
It’s the relationship
between an employee and an employer.
The employee works hard only to receive
the rewards bestowed by the employer.
There is no kindred affection
in such an interests-based relationship,
there is only transaction.
There is no loving or being loved,
only charity and mercy.
There is no understanding,
only helpless suppressed indignation
and deception.
There is no intimacy,
only an uncrossable chasm.
Now that things have gotten to this point,
who can reverse such a course?
And how many people are capable
of truly understanding
how dire this relationship has become?
When people immerse themselves
in the joy of being blessed,
none can imagine
how embarrassing and unsightly
such a relationship with God is.

from The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. Appendix 3: Man Can Only Be Saved Amidst God’s Management