I Converted To Islam

“My brother’s blood is on your hands.”
 
That is a statement that was said to me as I had a conversation with a Palestinian gentleman. His younger brother was killed in a missile launching from Israel a couple of years ago. He stared dead in my eyes as his broken, anger-consumed heart leaped out of his glare.
 
Malaysia has been different then any other country we’ve been. From the multiple cultures that call this place home to the beautiful scenery of mountains, lakes, and cities, to the amazing variety of food; it has been a wonderful month so far.
 
The most evidential difference is the difficulty of the Gospel penetrating the hearts of the people here; specifically the Muslims. It’s illegal for Muslims to convert to any other religion, and it’s illegal for a Non-Muslim to attempt and persuade a Muslim to convert their religion. The penalty can consist of imprisonment, deportation out of the country, and some very rare cases, even accounts of torture.
It’s a Muslim closed-country, and I’m in the thick of it.

 
The Malay Muslims are an unreached people group. As soon as they’re born, they’re identified with the Islamic faith by the Islamic-based political system. By the time I can approach them with the Gospel, they’ve already been a part of their own religion for years. The unreached, seemingly unreachable.
 
So how does one reach to a Muslim?
Become one.

 

Paul says something really extraordinary, even dangerous. He says to the Corinthian Church:
 
 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

– 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
 
Paul became all things to all people, and if Islam were established when Paul was alive, I would guess he would agree with what I feel in my heart, convicted by the Spirit:
 
“To the Muslim, I will become a Muslim, that by all means I might save some.”
 
Therefore, I “converted” to Islam.
 
 
It’s interesting that in the United States I hear all the time that as Christians we shouldn’t dare to use the word “Allah” when referring to God. It’s considered dangerous and inappropriate. But here in Malaysia the story is different. Christians here are fighting for their right to use the word “Allah.” One case, two different views from two different parts of the world.
 
Now I get the concerns in using “Allah” in regards to making Muslims confused as to who truly is God (because we believe Jesus is God.) But at the same time, there is an urgency to “become” a Muslim to win Muslims; use their dialect, learn their religious understanding, embrace their cultural norms, and become one of them- or for that matter become anyone to win everyone!
 
Why is it that we have this desire to spread “Christianity” and not the Gospel of the Kingdom of God?
 
“Woah, hold up Jake! You’re saying not to spread Christianity?”
 
YES!
 
Most, if not all, Eastern religious people like Muslims see Christianity as Americanism. Christianity is Hollywood, sex appeal, war, drugs, vulgarity, and anything else negative that America portrays to the rest of the world. To be an American is to be Christian in their eyes. But we all know that this is not necessarily true. You can certainly be an American and not a Christian. But they don’t necessarily see it as that.
 
 
I was talking to a Muslim man about Americanism and Christianity. He recently went to a government-funded lecture called “Dirty Business.” The lecture was about how American children are brainedwashed into violence by means of cartoons like Tom and Jerry. Then in a peculiar fashion, the speaker tied that to Christianity, claiming Christians are a violent people.
 
 
Now before you say “Well that’s their problem that they have a messed up view of Christianity”, know this: I had just spent an hour with him sitting on the floor of a mosque, right after praying in it. He noticed me praying and asked about whom I was and what I was doing. One thing led to another and the next thing we know I’m talking to him about Jesus Christ and the truth of the Gospel.

 
A couple days later another man (no connection with the previous man I had talked to) came up to me at that same mosque and politely escorted me out because of my proclaimation the Gospel. Go figure.
 
I say all of that to challenge you to LOVE your neighbor before you REBUKE him. What would it look like for you to “become” like someone in order to win them over? What are you willing to do? I believe that it isn’t really doctrinal concerns or theologically correct objections that hinder us from becoming like someone. I think it’s purely doubt and fear.
 
Doubt- because I really don’t believe God can move. But yet Scripture reminds me constantly that God is the Creator, God is in control, God sees whom He saves, God does the impossible, and yet we seem to doubt that He can move in a Muslim, closed country, or for that matter, in our office building.
 
And I think it’s fear as well. Fear of the unknown, fear of having to “become” one of them, fear that what we try to do won’t be enough for conversion, fear that our words aren’t good enough, fear of rejection.
 
But perfect love casts out fear. We were born to go. Go and make disciples. And if all authority on heaven and on earth has been given to us and Jesus is with us until the end of the age, then what do we have to fear?
 
I went out one night to try and talk to some Muslims at an area where food vendors are at. Malaysia has amazing food. Nasi Kandar and Cheese Naun takes my breath away. I ordered my food and walked around to see if there was anyone around that I could sit with and strike up a conversation. I saw two guys. I approached them and asked if I could join them.
 
“No” they forcefully said.
 
Doubt and fear started crawling up into my mind. I was not welcomed to sit with them. I sat at another table and started eating my food. I was disappointed. I wanted to talk to someone and the first people I talked to completely shut me out. Doubt about God able to move tonight started settling in my soul. Fear of more possible rejection simmered in my mind. Was this gonna be a waste of a night?
 
No. God is bigger then my fear and doubt. I knew God could move. I knew He was faithful. I knew that if I was rejected again and again, God was still good.
 
I finished my food and started walking about the area again. After a few minutes, I saw some other guys sitting by themselves. “This could be it” I told myself. But what would be my excuse to sit there? I pondered for a bit.
 
WATERMELON JUICE!
 
If you haven’t had watermelon juice, I’m sorry. It’s one of the most delicious drinks I’ve ever had. And there was a stand right next to where they were sitting. God provides!
 
I got a cup of watermelon juice and sat at a table next to them. “How am I gonna start a conversation with them?” You don’t want to just come out of nowhere and say “Hey I’m Jacob, I’m a Christian. Do you believe in Jesus? Allah isn't right.”  It’s not that good  of a way to start off a conversation in a closed country. Out of the divine sovereignty of God, and a little bit of desperation, I looked at them and asked “What are you eating?”
 
From there we had a nearly 3 hour long conversation about the Gospel. I got to answer common questions most Muslims have, like confusion about the doctrine of the Trinity, answers to their objections towards the doctrine of Verbal Plenary Inerrancy of Scripture, give my personal testimony about my curiosity to Islam when I was young and what led me to realize that Christ was the Truth, and share with them my stories of how God has brought me from death to life in Christ. It was one of the most memorable, impactful conversations I’ve had with an unbeliever so far on this trip. It’s been awhile since I’ve felt the power of the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of unregenerated men.
 
There is power in the Gospel.
Paul was a terrorist.
Luke was a rational medical doctor.
Peter was a blue-collard fisherman.
I was a skeptical boy searching for truth.
Jesus saved us, and is saving the least of these.
And you and I are invited to become like the least of these, like our Muslim neighbors,
and deliver the Good News, so that some may be saved.

 
I challenge you to step out of the Americanism and step into the kingdom of God. Be all things to all people, and share the beautiful message of Jesus Christ. Go to your neighbor, your friend whom you’ve been fearful to talk to about Jesus with, go to your coworkers, your classmates, your siblings. a Muslim, a Jew. Go and make disciples. And know that He is with you, always.
 
Continue to pray for the divine appointments God has ordained me and my team to be a part of. Malaysia needs the prayers of the saints. There are unreached people that need to be reached. God is reaching out. Pray that they reach out to Him.
 
Please continue to pray for my finances. I’m currently $3,554.31 away from being fully funded for my trip. My final deadline is March 1st, and I'm not guaranteed an extension, so I’m in danger of going home. Your financial contributions are what keeps me on this trip and empower me to share the love of Jesus Christ to the unreached people of the world. Please pray for funds to come in, by you or whoever can give.
 
May God glorified in every nation, in every people group, and in every language.

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