EDITORIAL
Transformation | Derwin L. Gray
In the 1920s, Methodist missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Mahatma Gandhi. Jones later recounted in The Christ of the Indian Road that he told Gandhi, “I am very anxious to see Christianity naturalized in India, so that it shall be no longer a foreign thing identified with a foreign people and a foreign government, but a part of the national life of India and contributing its power to India’s uplift and redemption.”
Gandhi responded with four truths that, if implemented by today’s ministry leaders, the Holy Spirit will use to transform local churches into communities of everyday missionaries.
1. Be More Like Jesus.
Gandhi said to Jones, “I would suggest first, that all you Christians, missionaries and all, must begin to live more like Jesus Christ.”
His words still ring true. American pulpits and some discipleship strategies have often reduced the magnificence of the gospel to simply to a trip to heaven when we die or only the forgiveness of sins.
The gospel is a royal announcement that Jesus of Nazareth is the true Lord of the universe who won a decisive victory over sin, death and the powers of darkness. This gospel, if received and lived in, will form communities of faith that participate in the ministry and mission of Christ, as the body of Christ.
2. Embody a Robust Theological Vision.
“I would suggest that you must practice your religion without adulterating or toning it down,” Gandhi said. In our post-Christian America, living and proclaiming a theologically informed faith is essential.
Teaching and living with a robust theological vision enflames the hearts of Jesus’ people. True revival is normal Christianity, a life of faith, hope and love.
3. Emphasize Love.
Gandhi told Jones, “I would suggest that you put your emphasis on love, for love is the center and soul of Christianity.”
Jones later wrote, “He did not mean love as a sentiment, but love as a working force, the one real power in a moral universe, and he wanted it applied between individuals and groups and races and nations, the one cement and salvation of the world.”
Jesus was resoundingly clear: You will know my disciples by the way they love one another.
The God who loved us, his enemies, indwells us to love our enemies.
The God who forgives us, his cosmic rebels, indwells us to forgive our betrayers.
The God who came as a Jew, died for Jews and Gentiles, indwells us to live as a multiethnic, blood-bought family fulfilling his covenant with Abraham.
Love is the mark that bears witness that we belong to Jesus.
4. Seek Common Ground and Be Humble.
Gandhi said, “I would suggest that you study the non-Christian religions and culture more sympathetically in order to find the good that is in them, so that you might have a more sympathetic approach to the people.”
I have heard it said that people do not care what you say until they know you care for them. In the person of Jesus, we see that he loved people, was curious about people; he led with questions, gaining insights, finding common ground so he could apply the gospel to their lives. As everyday missionaries, we must do the same.
The apostle Paul models this: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about” (Acts 17:22–23).
My mentor, Norm Geisler, taught me that all truth belongs to the triune God—even when truth comes from a non-Christian. May we take Gandhi’s words and embody them so we can reach people with the good news of King Jesus.