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7. Living the Life
The Baha’i Faith is an entire way of life, not merely some- thing one practices on a certain day of the week or ina particular ' place. Being a Baha’i means trying to follow Baha’u’llah’s Teachings every minute of one’s life, no matter where, or with whom, he may be. If someone says he believes in Baha’u’llah but does not live a Baha’i life, his faith is not alive. His deeds must match his words. When one studies the life of ‘Abdu’ 1-Baha, he begins to understand what a true Baha’ life is. ‘Abdu’1-Baha is the Perfect Exemplar. His life and teachings show each Baha’i how to beome more spiritual.
There are many good qualities which each Baha’i can strive to gain. Some of these qualities are:
Courtesy: Baha’is must try not to offend or hurt anyone.
Truthfulness: Baha’is should always speak the truth.
Reverence: Baha’is should show humility before God and His Messengers.
Obedience: Baha’ is must obey the laws of God for this day.
Cleanliness: Baha’ is must be clean, as one’s outward appear- ance affects his inner life.
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Justice: Baha is must be fair and just in their dealings with all people.
Mercy: Baha’is must show compassion to both friends and strangers.
Patience: Baha’ is must be patient with others and with them- selves.
Love: Baha’ is must love God, His Messengers, and all man- kind.
Fellowship: Baha’is must show love and friendliness to each other and be united at all times.
As one begins to show forth these qualities in his daily life, he will attract others to the Faith. When one becomes a Baha’i, his life should begin to change. As he understands more of Bahda’u'llah’s Teachings, he tries more and more to follow them. He tries to be loving, just, and kind, and to have more patience with others. As he prays and deepens, his life does change—he becomes the spiritual being he was created to be. His friends can see the change, and they realize that it is the Baha'i Faith which is having such an effect on him. The change in one’s character will attract others to the Faith. They will see
that the Baha’i Faith has the power to change human weaknes- ses into spiritual strengths. ‘Abdu’1-Baha says, ‘‘Should any one of you enter a city, he should become a center of attraction by reason of his sincerity, his faithfulness and love, his honesty and fidelity, his truthfulness and loving-kindness towards all the peoples of the world. . . .’’ 18
People everywhere are looking for a force which can change the world and make it a better place in which to live. If one is living the Baha'i life, his conduct can become a guide and example to the rest of humanity.
