Gandhi's Perspective
In Maxie Dunnam's book, Channels of Challenge, he writes of a conversation between E. Stanley Jones and Mahatma Gandhi. I believe a small excerpt from that dialogue can prove helpful to us in learning to interact with the non-Christian community around us.
Jones said, "I am very anxious to see Christianity nationalized in India, so it will no longer be a foreign thing identified with a foreign people and a foreign government, but a part of the national life of India contributing its power to India’s uplift and redemption. What would you suggest we do to make that possible?"
This was Gandhi's perceptive reply, "I would suggest, first, that all of you Christians must begin to live more like Jesus Christ. Second, I would suggest that you practice your religion without adulterating it or toning it down. Third, I would suggest that you must put your emphasis on love, for love is the center and soul of Christianity"
That's good advice for 21st Century believers as we take the Gospel into the world. Let's live like Jesus. Let's refuse to dilute the Gospel. Let's love like Jesus. If we do that, I believe we will see a remarkable movement of God in our time!
