Confessions of a Christian

Confession of a Christian

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
                                                                             Mahatma Gandhi
I’m not sure what context Gandhi said the above verse but to me he wasn’t talking about a true Christian.
True Christians are far from perfect but we are progressing.
I know if Gandhi were alive today he would take on look at the many Christians in the media and say the same thing.
The Christians today are fragmented especially in the protestant wing of the church and the Roman Catholics seem to be wrapped up in their thing also.
Within those who call themselves evangelical Christians here in North America I sometimes wonder just how many true Christians there are.
Truth is there is no effective way from within the twenty-first century church today police itself.
The apostle Paul tell the church at Corinth,
“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
Many evangelical churches here in North America do expel those who do not live up to the high moral and ethical standards they demand. They tend to do it as quietly as possible which is the right way unless a crime has been committed.
Unfortunately those who are expelled simply go out and become an independent with not real oversight.
They masquerade as Christians but are not. Unfortunately however to the outside world and to many Christians they seem perfectly fine.
It’s this kind of person I believe Gandhi saw.
Jesus even said,
“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.
One pastor of a large church even said to me he believed as much as sixty percent or more of his congregation were not Christian.
What I am saying here to the none Christian is to not judge a book by its cover. Just because someone says they are a Christian they may not be.
Jesus said to his disciples,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 
                                                                                                              John 13:34,35
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?"  
Matthew 5:43-46
A true Christian will love all mankind irrespective of their beliefs, or their lifestyle. They will not have to trumpet that they are Christians.
Dwight L. Moody the great evangelist said,
“We are told to let our light shine and if it does we wont need to tell anyone it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining”
                                                                           Dwight L. Moody
  Francis of Assisi said to Christians,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” 
                                                                                      Francis of Assisi.
This is how you will know a true Christian is by their lifestyle of Love and acceptance.
Think about it.