Live Like Jesus Lived and the World Will Listen

Daily Devotional – Monday, December 6, 2021

And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Acts 11:26 (NKJV)

Mahatma Gandhi must have studied Christianity comprehensively. Unfortunately, he seems to have found a significant disconnect between Christ’s teachings and their practical application by professed Christians.

Here is a sample of Gandhi’s quotes according to AZ Quotes.com:  

 “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians – you are not like him.”

“Live like Jesus did, and the world will listen.”

Are We Just Christian or Christ-like?

I remembered these quotes when I listened to a life coach advising people to be Christ-like, not just Christians. The difference is that the former implies positive character transformation while the latter is, to many, a mere profession of religious beliefs.

Where did the term ‘Christians’ Originate?

Of Barnabas and the Paul, we learn that “..for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26).

Antioch was a major commercial centre with a multicultural population. Here, Paul and Barnabas preached to a mixture of Jews and Gentiles. The lifestyle of the new converts had a profound impact on the residents of Antioch. Note that the new converts did not call themselves Christians. Rather, the residents of Antioch, noticing the different and positive lifestyle of the believers, gave them the title. Believers earned the name because of their Christ-like character.

Are We Christ-like?

In our contemporary society, people easily profess Christianity. You will hear someone say, “Trust me. I cannot lie to you. I am a Christian.” Unfortunately, the actions often fail to match the promise.

Can people in our societies, workplaces, learning institutions, churches and homes attest that we are Christ-like? Can the world accuse us of having been with Christ, like the Jews did with Peter and the other apostles?

As Gandhi observed, “Live like Jesus lived and the world will listen.”

Lord Jesus, draw me closer to You, that I may gradually reflect Your character.