| Cross Words: Don’t Throw Out the Baby with the Bath Water |
Richard Prow ~ rpcrosswords@gmail.com
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I recently reread a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, the revolutionary figure from India who preached in favor of non-violence and simplistic living. He said, “I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Gandhi believed Jesus to be insightful, profound, loving, peaceful and forgiving. Even more than that he believed that Jesus walked what He talked.
Gandhi believed many “Christians” to be judgemental, narrow-minded, hateful, prejudiced and graceless. Actions contradictory to the teachings of their beloved Savior.
The truth is Gandhi was right. Many of us who claim (or are) Christians don’t act and speak as Christ did. We preach against the sins of others while dismissing or covering up our own. We rush to war and ask God to slay our enemies before first praying for peace and begging for the salvation of our so-called foes. We avoid the poor, all the while amassing wealth to satisfy our self indulgent lifestyles as well as to build massive cathedrals that supposedly honor God.
Two truths should come front and center based on Gandhi’s statement. First, we Christians need to do a better job of acting like Christ. The world sees in Christ what it sees in His followers. Good and bad. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us” (2 Cor. 5:20).
Secondly, we Christians are not Christ. I would say to Gandhi if he were here today, that I don’t like myself sometimes either. I don’t act and speak as I know that I should. But that’s exactly why I am a follower of Christ. I desperately need the forgiveness of my sins that only He can provide. But just because I may muddy up the bath water, don’t throw out the baby. He’s the only one who can make any of us clean.
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