A thought from Gandhi
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi I believe from his perspective was right. He undoubtedly had seen the worst of the British empire. He had like many in the world today seen people who passed for Christians but were not.
When I think of Gandhi’s statement I think of the Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Gay, and Trangendered community of today.
Can you imagine how someone from the LGBT community feels when they see high profile Christians in the media trying to restrict their rights. Condemning them calling them sinners and not only that inferring that they have a “special” sin.
Those calling themselves Christians in some African nations are supporting laws that imprison homosexuals.
Such actions don’t reflect the ideals of Jesus. Jesus was all inclusive. He was accused of sitting with sinners and tax collectors by the religious leaders of his day.
Jesus was all inclusive. To Jesus the individual was important not whether they’d sinned or not. We all sin, tax collectors, religious leaders and Christians. Jesus knew this that’s why Jesus reached out to all people.
Matthew records,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:10-13
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1Timothy 1:15,16
Jesus came to save the sinners. Paul writes,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23.
By all Paul meant all. Every man and woman on the face of the earth, Christians included. We are all guilty of falling short of God’s ideals for our life.
Sadly there are far too many in the world today claiming to be Christians that are not. They have fallen away from the faith and developed a self-righteousness of their own.
To these people I believe Jesus will say,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7:22,23.
Christians have no right to judge others Jesus states,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
True Christians will not judge,
James writing to believers states,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:12,13.
Christians are obligated to show mercy and love to all people.
The Apostle Paul states,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Sadly Christians do not always speak out, at least publicly especially against those high profile evangelist and ministers who are judging others. Thus such people still drag the name of Jesus through the mud.
The soul job of a Christian is to tell the world about the saving grace of Jesus.
I for one am willing to speak anywhere at any time to anyone about the Love of Jesus.
Something I believe all Christians should be willing to do.
Think about it.
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