I recently read an interesting tidbit. It is about a man that history recalls as a man who changed the world. Specifically, Mahatma Gandhi changed the way people influence power. There are countless who to this day look to Gandhi's techniques to influence great powers. Undoubtedly, a great man, no matter what you believe or think of him.
In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. One Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned. “If Christians have caste differences also,” he said, “I might as well remain a Hindu.”
Stop and think with me what our world would be like if one man reacted differently to Mahatma Gandhi's visit to his church. Imagine with me what our world would be like today if one nameless usher acted with the unbiased, unconditional love of Jesus Christ rather than what we even today so often do to people who we encounter that are "not like us".
There are over 837 million Hindus in our world today (about 13% of the world's population). Gandhi easily could have influenced the majority of these to have made different choices in their lives. Think of what might have been...
I think this short read illustrates the importance of every one we come in contact with! Everyone deserves the Gospel... everyone. The first 13 verses of James chapter 2 talk to this point. This isn't something we should address in our lives... it is something we
MUST address in our lives!
A good friend of mine wrote in his blog this week and it struck a cord in me.
Please read it.
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