A master observed that a novice was involved in many kinds of service and all kinds of good works. The master asked the novice, "Why do you do so many good works?"
"Because I am trying to make myself acceptable to God," the novice said.
The master set a tile before the novice, and began to polish it.
"What are you doing?", the novice asked.
"I am polishing this tile, to make it into a mirror."
"You can't make a tile into a mirror by polishing it!", the novice protested.
"And neither can you make yourself acceptable to God by good works," the master answered.
A scholar wrote an article saying, "The Bible shows evidence of post editing and was heavily influenced by the political climate of the day. Its interpretation depends highly on one's perspective."
A believer read the article, and said, "This article shows evidence of post editing and was heavily influenced by the political climate of the day. Its interpretation depends highly on one's perspective."
A man came to a believer and said, "You say that you know God exists. Prove it to me."
The believer said, "Do you have any matches?"
"Yes."
The believer took a napkin, and soaked it in water. "You say that you have matches. Set this napkin on fire."
Someone said to a believer, "If God performed a miracle in front of me, I would believe."
The believer held up a blade of grass.
A novice closed his eyes, folded his hands, and began to say, "Our Father, who art in Heaven..."
A master said, "What are you doing?"
"I am assuming the right posture and saying the right words to pray."
"You can't pray by assuming a posture and saying a specific set of words."
"Then how do you pray?"
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