A preacher and an atheistic barber were once walking through the city slums.
Said the barber to the preacher: "This is why I cannot believe in a God of love.
If God was as kind as you say, He would not permit all this poverty, disease,
and squalor. He would not allow these poor bums to be addicted to dope and other
character-destroying habits. No, I cannot believe in a God who permits these
things."
The minister was silent until they met a man who was especially unkept and
filthy. His hair was hanging down his neck and he had a half-inch of stubble on
his face, Said the minister: "You can't be a very good barber or you wouldn't
permit a man like that to continue living in this neighbourhood without a
haircut and a shave."
Indignantly the barber answered: "Why blame me for that man's condition? I can't
help it that he is like that. He has never come in my shop, I could fix him up
and make him look like a gentleman!"
Giving the barber a penetrating look, the minister said: "Then don't blame God
for allowing the people to continue in their evil ways, when He is constantly
inviting them to come and be saved . The reason these people are slaves to sin
and evil habits is that they refuse the "ONE " who died to save and deliver
them."
The barber saw the point.
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please
authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances
dictate.
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