All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
HELP. Faith is challenged by Muslim friends
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Permalink Reply by Carla on
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Hi Clare,
Here is an article from www.gotquestions.org which may be of some help to you. God has placed you there for a reason, and He will use you as you continue to learn, grow and mature. I am certain that you will get some excellent suggestions from other brothers and sisters here...
Incidently, I have a friend (sister in Christ) who used to be muslim. She is in my homechurch. She's not on this site, but if you have direct questions I can ask her because she has a very strong understanding of the muslim faith because that is how she was raised. She faces persecution from her family regularly, but her own husband has now started to look to Jesus for his Salvation. She has been a believer for 6 years now. Let me know if you have any questions for her, and i will ask them. I've talked to her about the muslim beliefs a tiny bit... Basically the muslim religion exists due to duress(use of force which induces fear).. it's a fear based--fear forced religion. As a believer our faith will always be challenged.. That is a good thing. This is your opportunity to be strengthened. Romans 5:1-5
Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, [fn] we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rom 5:2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and [fn] we exult in hope of the glory of God.
Rom 5:3 And not only this, but [fn] we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
Rom 5:4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
Rom 5:5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Anyhow...here's the article:
Question: "What are some reasons for the animosity between Christians and Muslims? Can Christians reconcile with Muslims?"
Answer: Since September 11, the world has entered the age of terror. The terrorists wage cruel atrocities in the name of Islam. Christians wonder how to respond to the threat. To their reproach, some fearfully spurn all Muslims as terrorists. Others compromise truth to show acceptance. Both approaches dishonor God.
Christians must understand their differences with Muslims so they can respond with truth and love. First, let’s prayerfully examine how to overcome some of the initial barriers between Muslims and Christians.
1. Muslims are offended by Western secularism
As global technology shrinks the world, Muslims feel threatened by Western culture: immoral movies, pornography, immodest dress, vile music, and rebellious teens. Western culture threatens the Islamic faith, worldview, and lifestyle. They equate this Western culture with Christianity.
Christian response: Befriend Muslims and explain how Western culture is no longer Christian but secular. Further, not all who claim to be Christians are true followers of Christ. Show by word and action an example of a true Christian: “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12).
2. Muslims are resentful of Western dominance
Some countries of the West have a history of colonialism and interference, which Muslims resent. While some approve of the war on terror, other Muslims bitterly object. Many also feel betrayed by the West’s “favoritism” of Israel, which displaced thousands of Palestinians.
Christian response: Demonstrate genuine love and humility by prayer and service. Focus on Christ—not political controversies. God will one day restore justice. In the meantime, He provides government leaders to protect the good and punish the wrongdoer (Romans 13:1-7).
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:16-21).
“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:23-26).
3. Militant Muslims act on war verses in the Qur’an
While many Muslims are peace-loving, others interpret the Qur’an as giving them divine credence to convert or kill non-Muslims.
Christian response: Sadly, some Christians fearfully despise Muslims. But the Lord gives the perfect neutralizer to fear and hatred: His love.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18a).
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27).
Jesus didn’t promise His followers a life free of suffering. Instead, He assured, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me” (John 15:18-21).
While some misunderstandings can be cleared with Muslims, the main offense is . . . Jesus Christ! (See 1 Peter 2:4-8.) The truth about the Lord and Savior must not be compromised. Muslims reject God the Father who sent His Son to die for sinners. Most deny both the necessity and historicity of Christ’s death. While Muslims honor Jesus as a noble prophet, they depend on Islamic faith and works—submission to one Allah, belief in Muhammad’s revelation of Allah, obedience to the Qur’an and the Five Pillars—for entrance to paradise. Many Muslims believe that Christians worship three gods, deify a man, and have corrupted the Bible.
Christians and Muslims should discuss doctrinal misunderstandings. Christians must understand biblical theology so they can . . .
• explain the Trinity: God is one in essence, three in Person.
• give evidence of the Bible’s trustworthiness.
• show how God’s holiness and man’s sinfulness require Christ’s atoning death.
• clarify beliefs about Jesus: “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God” (1 John 4:14-15).
With love, humility, and patience, Christians must present Jesus as Lord and Savior. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).
Recommended Resource: Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross by Norm Geisler.
Blessings, Carla
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Permalink Reply by Clare Richard on
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Dear Carla
I do not not how to thank you enough for these informations! I'm so glad I found this caring community, I will remember every single advice you offer and I'm sure by now, I have more strength to face the unbelievers because of your kind deeds :) Thank you so much!
God bless you, my sister in Christ :)
Clare
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Permalink Reply by Penny Toman on
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Jesus didn’t promise His followers a life free of suffering. Instead, He assured, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me” (John 15:18-21).
What a wonderful verse! Especially in these days and times. It ties in with the greatest commandmnet of all Love one another....love for our fellow man as a man not because of his religon or beliefs but simply because we are all brothers and sisters in HIS eyes. Love will conquer all!
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Hey Linda Ruth.. Excellent resources. I'm gonna get a copy of that Evidence Bible. Thanks for the recommendations.
Blessings, Carla
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Dear Linda Ruth,
I've opened the link and have been reading everything on the sites since this morning. That is really really helpful, and the book is awesome! It will be my winter book collection :)
Thank you so much, my sister :)
God bless you :)
Clare
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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on
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These videos should encourage you in the endeavor/work God has placed upon your heart.
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Dear David,
Thank you so much for sharing this good news, it brings tears of joy to me ! :)
God bless you, Clare
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hi clare
to begin when i went to Albania, God told me not to say that i was a christian, but to say i was a follower of Jesus, this was good , because the muslims said we follow Mohammed, and you follow Jesus, ok we can talk, if i had said i was a christian the battle would have been on, because they would think i was a catholic, from the crusades, there to cut there head off, next , you say you don't want an argument, lets take a closer look, the Muslim, will tell you what they believe, very emphatically many of them are quite willing to get right in your face and yell at you, you think what did i do to cause this argument and back down, wrong response, you need to get right back in his or her face with the truth, ( use the same intensity that he/she uses but don't back down), ( note, this is not for the purpose of winning an argument, that is, to say, i am right and you are wrong, but the purpose is to bring the person to the knowledge of jesus,) paul said put forth a defense for the gospel, now the muslin is prepared to die for his religion, are you willing to die for Jesus, the muslim needs to see you have something better than what he has, you are going to be arguing Jesus vs Mohammed, the God of the bible vs Allah, and the bible vs the koran, ask your friend who is Jesus? he will tell you he is a prophet, you say can a prophet lie? he will say no! he must say that because, Mohammed claims to be gods (Allahs) prophet, now the fun begins, say can we look at the bible and see who jesus claims to be, more than likely they will say yes, altho i have had them say to me no you tell me, i say well Jesus claimed he was God, example Jesus said before Abraham was born "I Am" do a study in the names of God this will help you tremendously, one point i should interject here, what you need to do is pray and ask the Holy Spirit what to say to the person, He may have you use some of the things i share with you or maybe not for i or you do not know hat that person needs, heres an example a muslim friend we'll call A, A and i spent many hours arguing in various coffee shops etc. these were loud and in each others face, something canadians might find difficult, in these establishments all eyes and ears were focused on us, for a period of about a year, one day, A came to me and said roy you got to help me, my life is so bad i don't even want to tell you how bad it is, he was to ashamed, (now we were friends i knew his sister, his mother, and his father, i had been in their home many times, shared meals etc.) i said to A, i cannot help you, your going to hell, you reject Jesus and except Mohammed, there's nothing i can do for you, i left him like that, the next time i seen him, aprox. 2 weeks, there to my surprise, he was coming out of the church i was attending, he had gotten radically saved, he said to me you remember all those arguments we had, i said o ya, he said, i am using them on all my friends, praise God the battle and the glorybelong only to God, we are just the vessels, it's usually a difficult thing for a muslim to come to Jesus, because being a muslim is a religion and a culture, in a muslim nation, if a muslim comes to Jesus that might be tolerated by the family, but when he gets baptized, the family is duty bound to kill them, another fellow i spoke with for about 2 years, we had become friends, a month before God was to bring us back from Albania, he said to me by the time school is out, (referring to the university he attended) he would be a christian, or i would be a muslim, you see he was told he was to murder me, why? because i was an infidel and if i wouldn't convert to islam i must die, i said to him well i aint going to become a muslim, by the end of my time in Albania the muslims called me a christian, they now knew the difference i did tell a catholic if you hold on to your religion and don't come into a relationship with Jesus where he takes away your sins, you end up in hell not heaven, i know this from personal experience, i was raised catholic did every thing i was supposed to being an alter boy, telling the priest my sins, but he could not remove the guilt of my sin, the guilt was taken away when i came to Jesus, because he never sinned, he's the only one, for all (men) have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, i hope this is a help to you, feel free to ask me any particular questions perhaps i can answer them.
roy ruser
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Hmm. A pressing matter indeed. I would suggest, that, if they are making you sad and trying to challenge wonderful Christianity, that you act like they're your friends, but thnk of them as enemies. My family doesn't like Muslims, although we live in Sweden, and the rules of Christianity might be different here.
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