Team Raised on the way to the Mosque.
So now what? What do we do with the differences between Islam and Christianity? What do we do with the core of our faith?
We live
a new
Life.
An eternal life.
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)
A Malay young woman told me that Malay Muslims think what they see in Hollywood represents Christianity. That makes my heart sad. For a Muslim, a Christian is a young pop star taking her clothes off. To an American Christian, a Muslim is a man on a plane with a bomb. We’re living misconceptions.
What about the atrocities Muslim men commit against women? Do or do not neighbors of yours bearing your God’s name, commit the same atrocities worldwide? Christians are found in brothels too. Christians are booked for wife-beating as well.
I look around Malaysia, and I see families rooted in a tradition that is passed on for centuries. From the moment a baby is born, Allah is God is whispered in their ear (literally in the hospital). But I also see leaning trees, where the roots are only tradition and law without an experience, knowledge or depth of an encounter with God. How many Muslims really know what they believe and what the Qu’ran says? How many Christians wear the name without knowing what the Bible says, without having an encounter with God?
Mosque.
How many of us are following in the footsteps of parents who held our hand and took us to church, who raised good people and are good to those who are hurting, without digging deep into who God says He is, without hearing and knowing the calling of a Savior of love?
Are you living like you are a dead person and a slave to sin or are you ALIVE and living like the saint God says you are if you are a Christian? (even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – Eph. 2:5a)
Once you’ve made the faith commitment, put on the wedding band of faith so-to-speak, are you living like who God says you are?
- You are a new creation. (2 Corin. 5:17)
- You are a saint. (sure a saint, that still sins, but YOU ARE A SAINT!) (1 Cor. 1:2, Eph. 1:1, Phil. 1:1, Col. 1:2)
- You are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. (Matt. 5:13,14)
- You are part of the true vine, a channel of Christ’s life. (John 15:1,5)
- You are Christ’s friend. (John 15:15)
- You are chosen and appointed by Christ to bear his fruit. (John 15:16)
- You are chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. (Col. 3:12, 1 Thess. 1:4)
(This s a partial list from Who I Am in Christ?, Victory over the Darkness by Neil Anderson).
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
When we become ALIVE, we LIVE a NEW LIFE. God has a plan for your life, a thrilling plan, an invitation to join Him in good works. Not so that you’ll get into heaven, but so that you live a fulfilled life – not a life of filler. Jesus came to give you life and life to the full, an abundant life (John 10:10). So why not live it with Him, for Him and to the highest hilt?
Let’s take time to recognize the difference – not look pass the difference – and go after the lost sheep as fervently but kindly as our Good Shepherd has gone after us. Greener pastures await the world.
Let’s pray that Christians around the world will have a love encounter with God, and be so transformed by His love that their joy is contagious. Love abounds.
Let’s pray that we will take hold of our identity in Christ and live out who He has called us to be, who He says we are. Miracles abound.
Let’s pray that Muslims in Malaysia – specifically those we encounter this month will encounter the Holy Spirit and be transformed by God’s saving Grace and immense love. God’s glory is revealed.
Yes, a better world awaits – heaven on earth.
