Have you ever wondered how anyone views you as a Christian? Do you appear gruff and give the impression that you are better than anyone else, simply because you have been saved? Do you give the impression that people who have not been saved, are not worthy to go to church or not worthy to talk to you?

Gandhi spearheaded India’s struggle for freedom from British rule. His Hindu religious practices and his political philosophy had a radical and revolutionary influence on millions of people. Earlier in his life, Gandhi had considered the possibility of becoming a follower of Jesus. Attracted by His life and teachings, Gandhi attended the services of a church in Pretoria, South Africa. He later wrote, "The congregation did not strike me as being particularly religious; they were not an assembly of devout souls, but appeared rather to be worldly-minded people going to church for recreation and in conformity to custom." He concluded that Christianity could not add anything of value to Hinduism. What a loss for the Christian community.

Are we like those churchgoers? Do others make their decisions because of us? Do we live out the Christianity we profess, or do we profane it? Do we practice what we preach?

Our Daily Bread – August 5, 2001