Posted by Dena on July 17, 2004, at 10:31:44
In reply to Mahatma Gandhi, posted by Jai Narayan on July 15, 2004, at 19:47:10
Your post about Ghandi reminded me of something I heard attributed to him a while ago.
He visited this country, and said he'd done so to learn more about Jesus, whom he admired.
He left this country with the following conclusion: "I very much like your Jesus, but I don't much like your Christians."
As a Christian, I feel the wound of that indictment. And I understand it all too well. I've personally been severely injured by others who call themselves Christians, and I've seen the pain inflicted on others as well.
Just recently, we were told to leave our church and our denomination, even though my husband was ordained in it. We're in the thick of the pain right now. All because I dared to point out some things that were wrong within the church "system" - people were being spiritually abused, and I spoke up. They rallied to protect the system, but I was expendible. In fact, I became the problem, and so they sacrificed my husband in order to get rid of me. They've slandered me publically, and horribly defaced my reputation and integrity. They imagined that my husband would choose his ministry over his wife, but they vastly underestimated his love for me. Plus, he knows the truth about me, as does God Himself.
All this to say, I am well aware of how many (not all) who call themselves "Christians" do not in fact actually follow Christ.
But I won't let this taint Jesus Christ Himself! He is above reproach, and those who know and love Him know what He expects of His followers: love in words, actions and motivation. Nothing less.
May we all search like Ghandi did for the good in Jesus. But may we not allow misguided people who hide behind His name to sully HIS reputation.
poster:Dena
thread:366672
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20040408/msgs/367109.html