Mahatma Gandhi once said to James McEldowney, a Christian who was visiting Gandhi at his home in Sevagram, "'I have a great respect for Christianity. I often read the Sermon on the Mount and have gained much from it. I know of no one who has done more for humanity than Jesus. In fact, there is nothing wrong with Christianity, but the trouble is with you Christians. You do not begin to live up to your own teachings." What he meant, of course, was that he couldn't see many Christians living the way Jesus said His followers should. Much of the world would say amen to that.

So where does that leave Christians who take their Christianity seriously? In the face of such humbling criticism, do we quit even trying?--Or do we rise to the challenge?

Let's give the world something to talk about! Let's get down to business--the business of living the way Jesus said we should. Let's show that it can be done.

It's not as complicated as you may think. It all comes down to one simple rule, the "Law of Love," which Jesus expressed a little differently on a couple of different occasions: Love God foremost, and love others as much as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40), and treat others the way we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12). If we each truly tried to live that way, it wouldn't change the whole world overnight, but before long it would change our worlds--our own lives and the lives we touch. When we think in terms of righting all the world's wrongs, it's overwhelming, impossible. But when we put Jesus' teaching into simple everyday terms and take it one decision, one action, one conversation, one loving gesture at a time, it's not so hard. In fact, it's the most thrilling and fulfilling life there is, because sharing real love has rewards all its own. Let's live by God's Law of Love!

Keith Phillips
For the Activated family