The following paragraph we recently came across in a religious exchange:
In a recent address Professor Drummond said that he was once conversing with an infidel, when a well-known gentleman passed them on the road. "That gentleman," said the infidel, pointing to the passer-by, "is the founder of our infidel club." "What," said Mr. Drummond, in startled tones, "why that is Mr. So-and-so, an influential man in such a church!" "Yes," said the infidel, "we know he professes Christianity; but his inconsistencies have driven many of us into infidelity, and led to the founding of our club."
From the above, which is undoubtedly true, there are two lessons to be learned. The first is that Christians, if they are not consistent in their life, are active agents of the devil. Says Christ: "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad." (Matthew 12:30)
Many professed Christians would be shocked to be told that they are doing missionary work for Satan, yet they can easily convince themselves that such is the case. Let them seriously ask, "Am I doing my duty?" "Do I honor Christ and the profession that I make?" "Is my influence positive on the Lord's side?"
Unless these questions can be answered affirmatively, they may know that they are driving men away from Christ. The name of God is blasphemed because of the lives of any of his professed followers. "You therefore which teach another, do you not teach yourself? you that preach a man should not steal, do you steal? You that say a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? you that abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege? You that make your boast of the law, through breaking the law do you dishonor God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written." (Romans 2:21-24)
How terrible to think that there is more blasphemy than there would be if many who profess to love God were not in existence. Some professors think to make amends by acknowledging their false position without correcting it. They will try to teach unbelievers, but will say, "Don't take me for an example; you must not judge of Christianity by me."
But that is just what the world must do. Christians are here in order that this world may be able to judge of Christianity. Said Christ to his disciples: "You are the light of the world;" (Matthew 5:14)
And He prayed that they might "be made perfect in one," (John 17:23) so that the world might know that He was from God.
One of the first things the professor of Christianity should think about is that worldlings will watch him closely, and that they will know whether he is really a Christian or not. They can tell the genuine article every time.
And this brings us to the second lesson that may be learned from the paragraph quoted. It is this:
The fact that professed Christians do not fulfill their obligations, is not the slightest excuse for anybody's unbelief. Whenever worldlings criticize the inconsistencies of professed Christians, they at once condemn themselves; for by their criticisms they show that they know what ought to be done.
And their punishment for evil-doing will be none the less because it was a professed Christian who led them astray. As for the professor, the Judgment alone will reveal the responsibility that attaches to him for his scattering influence.
Taking it all together, neither Christians nor infidels have anything from which to derive comfort for a course of wrongdoing.--Signs of the Times, November 26, 1885--Timeline: IV-22 (The Unpardonable Sin)--Matthew 12:30.