Dec 19, 2013

Faith goes to school, unarmed

By Nathanael Lawton

 

Editor’s note: With her college graduation preparations, Lauren Telford got behind with her column. This allegory (taken from James 2:14-26) first appeared in the January 2000 SR as

part of the short-lived series, “Young Adult Connection.”

 

One day, young Faith went to school without bringing his works in his pack. He looked quite different.

World, Faith’s ever-present challenger, approached him on the playground.

“Hey Faith,” World prodded, “if that’s who you really are. Where are your works? You say you’re Faith, but I don’t believe you!”

Faith stammered, “I–I–I believe that–that, uh–that–umm…”

“Words!” shot back World. “Is that all you have for me? Prove yourself.”

But since Faith had no works with him, he could only walk away, having done nothing for World, for whom Faith had so much hope and love.

 

When the bell rang, Faith went into the classroom and started to hang up his coat. The teacher said, “That’s Faith’s coat hanger, little one. You need to use the extra one for visitors.”

Then the teacher continued, almost to herself, “I don’t think I heard anything about a new student, did I?”

“I am Faith,” the child said in astonished defense. “See, right around my neck I have this fish. And I know John 3:16. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life—’”

Then Demon spoke up. “Even I know that,” and continued the recitation, “‘For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world,’ etcetera, etcetera…”

“If you’re going to prove yourself,” said the teacher, “you’ll have to show me some works.”

Then Faith turned his head in search of help, and caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He was so pale. No wonder no one recognized him.

Without works, Faith was dying.