The Barber and the Minister
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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 unkempt 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
neighborhood without a haircut and a shave."
Indignantly the barber answered: "Why blame me for that
mans 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. Do you?