I just recently read a statement that really grabbed my attention. After carefully rolling it over in my mind, I asked myself "Is this really so? Could this be true?" What was the statement? Are you interested? Here it is.

"The greatest hindrance to the spread of Christianity is Christians."

While we cannot vouch for its accuracy, the critique does offer food for thought.

Jesus instructed His disciples, "By this shall all men know that ye are My Disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

Have we permitted the world to see this brotherly love in us or have they seen a group of bickering, feuding, fighting people - filled with strife and envy? I have long believed that conservative Christians have been their own worst enemy - which is evidenced by many splintered groups, who can't seem to get along with each other. Could we really be the hindering cause to the spread of Christianity?

Jesus plainly taught, "Ye (disciples) are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14). Are we truly "the light," or have we hidden our lamp and "placed it under a bushel" (v. 15)? If this is true with us, then the unknown author of our statement may have it right. Are we really the greatest hindrance?

Think on these things!

- Gospel Spotlight, 6/11/2000