Realize What You are Asking

Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

I want to start off with a warning in regards to this blog, because first I am going to continue to discuss the Muslim faith and we can easily get angered or frustrated or make poor or ill comments when thinking on this matter, but we must remember that we all have fallen short. Not one of us came perfect to Christ, so they need the grace of God just as much as you do, and Jesus died for them as well. When reading remember to read so you understand and not to pass judgment. My intention is to arm for and warn in witnessing with a Muslim and not to make the Muslim to be evil, but the actions that are done because of their faith.

Both Dr. Caners, like many other young Muslims growing up, were taught that Christians are vile and hate Muslims, so they are tainted about their view right from the beginning. They were taught that our Bible is corrupted, because they believe Jesus was one of the 25 prophets, but not the Son of God. As a matter of fact, the key points within our Gospel are considered some of the highest sins to Islam.

Muslims believe that if Jesus ever said that He was God then He is not worthy of being a prophet. Atonement for Muslims is by your own blood and not through the work of Jesus or someone else. You must atone for yourself. The interesting part is they will accept the virgin birth, never dying, and the returning of Jesus, but the returning is not as the Son of God, but He will come back to marry and to die and be buried in Akbar. This will of course be done in accordance to Allah’s timing. Jesus is considered the next best prophet next to Muhammad.

What was interesting during their talk was the percentage of stringent Muslims, the strictest Muslims that come to Christ. Meaning that those that come to Christ out of the Muslim faith, 66% of the Muslims were actually very strict in their walk with the Muslim faith and not of the more nominal Muslims. The harder part to absorb and which requires a lot of patience is that it takes on average, seven years for a Muslim to become a Christian.

Both Dr. Caners said that one of the best ways to reach a Muslim is through talking about the doctrine of eternal security, because unless they martyr themselves, there is no eternal security for the Muslim. Another concept is unconditional love and grace within the Christian faith. You must explain that grace for us is that Christ died for us, because grace to a Muslim is that Allah has not killed them. When you talk about grace you need to be sure to define it for them as well.

We must have patience and persistence in prayer and in talking with our Muslim friends. Ask them about their faith as well, because it is always a show of respect in their culture then to ask you about your faith. Then remember what you are asking them to do. Islam is considered a “cradle to the grave” religion and to leave it means you are leaving everything. Many are disowned, killed and lose everything when they become a Christian. Where today we don’t have that much worry, even a U.S. Muslim believer faces losing their family. As you witness don’t forget that they are truly sacrificing for Jesus.

Next time I will talk about their eschatology and why that is important when dealing with a Muslim no matter what area of life you are talking with them about.

Matthew 5:44-45, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;”