“I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians.”

The quote above is attributed to India’s non-violent liberator, Mahatma Gandhi, who reportedly read daily from the Sermon on the Mount. He probably didn’t say those words exactly (don’t forget to fact-check those catchy quotes), but what he did say, while less ​“meme-able,” is more powerful.

To set the context, the late missionary and author E. Stanley Jones wanted Christianity to become a part of the national life of India. He asked Gandhi simply, ​“What would you suggest we do to make that possible?” Gravely and thoughtfully, Gandhi replied:

“I would suggest first of all that all of you Christians, missionaries and all begin to live more like Jesus Christ…”

“Second, I would suggest that you must practice your religion without adulterating or toning it down…”

“Third, I would suggest that you must put your emphasis upon love, for love is the center and soul of Christianity.”

While Gandhi never chose to become a Christian, the Sermon on the Mount informed his life in ways that led to profound personal and cultural change — because he took Jesus seriously.

This week on the Renovaré Podcast, Nathan Foster talked with Charles Moore, author and member of the Bruderhof, a community that tries to live out the teaching of Jesus together. In listening to their conversation, I found myself wanting to re-explore the Sermon on the Mount — not just to understand it, but to live it; and not just to live it externally, but to fall in love with the Teacher in a way that makes following him second nature.

sMoore edited a helpful new compilation centered on the Sermon on the Mount called Following the Call, whose contributors span time and Christian tradition — from Basil the Great to Elisabeth Elliot and a hundred in between. Moore’s intro essay is featured on our website, and our coming fall mailing contains essays from the book curated by Richard Foster. (If you aren’t on our physical mailing list and would like to be, you can sign up here.) 

Until next time,