Dear Muslim Readers,
Some of you may be asking the questions,
– “Are you trying to convert Muslims into “Christians” through this blog?”
– “Are you trying to convert me?”
Now those are big questions. No, those are HUGE questions and very legitimate ones!
Let me answer your questions beginning with a question of my own:
What does the word “Christian” mean to you as a Muslim?
I know that to some Muslims around the world, the words “Christian” or “Christianity” can mean a lot of things. Things such as words from the list below:
* The Crusades
* Imperialism
* Colonialism
* Zionism
* Hollywood
* Immorality
* Violence
* Abortion
* Alcohol
* Drugs
* American foreign policy
* Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
* American television preachers who blindly and unconditionally support Israel at the expense of the Palestinians.
Back to the original question: “Am I trying to convert Muslims into “Christians”? If you define “Christian” and “Christianity” by the list above, the answer is an emphatic and unequivocal “NO!”
What I do want for you – my Muslim reader – is what I want for everyone (I truly mean EVERYONE). I want every person walking on the earth to follow Jesus – to become a “Jesus-follower”. Much more importantly, that is what Jesus wants. That is what he said over and over as he walked the earth:
Let me make a strong statement to you – my Muslim readers – here:
I don’t see anywhere in the words of Jesus in the Injeel – in the New Testament of the Bible – that you have to be or become a “Christian” (as defined by the list above – Hollywood, immorality, violence, Zionism, etc.) to go to Heaven (Paradise).
What I do see very clearly and very strongly in Jesus’ words is that you have to follow him. You have to give him your life – completely, unreservedly, wholeheartedly. You have to love him more than any person, goal, or dream.
You have to become a “Jesus-follower.”
You have to believe in him (his uniqueness) and his sacrifice for your sins (his work on your behalf).
Jesus said:
“. . .unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24 in the Injeel)
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:9 in the Injeel)
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 in the Injeel)
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26 in the Injeel)
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 in the Injeel)
I believe with all my heart that your relationship with Jesus and what you believe about him will determine your eternal destiny.
I just want for you what I want for myself. What I want for everyone.
I just want you to follow Jesus so you can be changed from the inside out by Jesus himself living in you. This is so different from trying to change yourself from the outside in by trying to perfectly obey endless rules and rituals (something none of us can do).
I want you to follow Jesus and believe in his sacrificial death so you can be forgiven of all your sins.
So you won’t have to fear Hellfire.
So you can live with Jesus forever in Heaven.
It’s all about Jesus.
Just. . .following. . .Jesus – the one who loves you so much that he died for you.
It’s worth any price to follow someone who loves you that much.
Do you have questions? Comments? Please respond here or send me a private email at InTheHarvest@gmail.com.
https://www.youtube.com/user/ELAMTV
Maybe our Muslim friends just have a hard time following someone they don’t really understand. Do you think so, Mark?
A lot of Muslims, Jews, and even a lot of Christians don’t have a good idea of what it means to follow him because they don’t have the most basic information about him.
To be willing to follow someone you have to know their characteristics, and you have to know where they would lead you and how they would lead you. And that’s all in the New Testament. But most people have not read it for themselves.
After three years with his disciples they understood and were willing to recognize him as Lord ( a huge change for a Hebrew).
One of his own disciples, Thomas, wondered out loud, “Lord we don’t know the way,” and Jesus answered “I am the way.”
In other words, humans do not need another religion… They need a reality – a real direct relationship with God. This is what Jesus offers his followers.
Most people just think they need to “believe” in some thing. I believing is really just the first stage of following. of course if you believe in some thing you will follow it… But you can’t just say it with your mind. You have to embrace it with your heart.
And you have to and real actions that show your belief has transferred into real following.
Thank you, dear brother. As always, you are full of wisdom.
Yes, how can anyone follow someone – actually give their lives to them – based on propositional truths alone? They need to hear truth, but they also need experience. That is why so many Muslims embrace the Jesus of the New Testament after they have a dream or vision of Him. That can change everything!
As far as not reading the New Testament for themselves, that is why it is so important to us to get the English/Arabic New Testament into the hands of our dear Arabic speaking Muslim friends and acquaintances. There is no greater gift we can give them than a relationship with us (which points to Jesus) and a Bible in their own heart language.
God bless you, my friend!