The Stumbling Block!

Recently I read an article by Lama Chuck Stanford and Arvind Khetia on Mahatma Gandhi and Christians.  While Gandhi was a practicing Hindu, Christianity intrigued him. In his reading of the Gospels, Gandhi was impressed by Jesus, whom Christians worshipped and followed.  Gandhi wanted to know more about the claims of this Christ whom the Christians called, ‘the Messiah.' So one Sunday morning, Gandhi decided that he would visit one of the churches in Calcutta. Upon seeking entrance to the Church sanctuary, he was stopped at the door by the ushers. He was told that he was neither welcome, nor would he be permitted to attend that particular Church as it was only for high-caste Indians and whites. Because of the rejection, the Mahatma turned his back on Christianity forever!  It was due to this experience that Gandhi later declared, 'I'd be a Christian if it were not for the Christians.'  What a loss it has been to India as a nation!

The Gospel of Christ is universal.  Salvation is for all humanity. God told Abraham, "All the families on earth will be blessed through you" (Gen 12:3 NLT).  God's plan of bringing salvation to the world was by choosing one man - Abraham, by choosing one nation - Israel, and by choosing one people group - the believers; you and me.  God intended the nation of Israel and the Church, which is a body of believers to make Him known to the whole world.    We know from Biblical history that the nation of Israel failed miserably in accomplishing this purpose then, and now the Church has failed miserably!  Instead of this inclusive gospel permeating the world, the world has penetrated the Church.  Discrimination of any kind is not Biblical.  Discrimination based on colour, race, or caste is not Biblical. But even Bible-believing Christians uphold discrimination of one kind or the other! We are where we are because we have moved away from the teachings of Christ!

My friend, today, God has given us an opportunity to repent and return to Him.  God has called us to be the salt and light of the earth. Unless we practice the teachings of Christ, we will be the stumbling block preventing people from coming to Christ. The Bible says woe to him through whom they do come! (Luke 17:1-2).  

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