Mohandas Gandhi gave a lucid explanation of Christianity’s problems when he said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” This is a common (and legitimate) “beef” many have with the Christian faith. The problem is not Christianity per se, but Christians. When Christians behave badly, we throw serious doubt on the credibility of the gospel and our claims to be “new creatures in Christ Jesus.”
The world is in a sense right to judge Christianity by its fruits. The Lord himself was most severe when he dealt with the religious leaders of his day who should have known better and judgement must begin at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17) if it is to being at all. But the world should be careful in her judging of Christendom. It tends to give unbelievers a false sense of security outside of Christ. One is left to think they can point out a couple of “hypocritical Christians”, make the case that they were “nicer” or “more virtuous” and all will be well. But it won’t be. Ultimately, each of us will be judged individually on our acceptance or rejection of Christ. In the words of Christ, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18)”
To be content to live outside of Christ and point to Christians who behave more like the devil himself is to do a great disservice to your soul. In the parable of the weeds and the field, the weeds and the wheat had to grow together lest the servants pulled out some of the wheat with the weeds. So it is in Christendom, the weeds and the wheat must grow together. But at the end of the age, the Lord will “send his angels to gather from his kingdom everything that causes others to sin and those who practice lawlessness and they will throw them into a blazing furnace.” Literally.
