The Heart of the Matter
What’s your gut reaction to words like Islam, Muslim, Allah, Quran? For most, I believe, it’s fear. How will Islam impact our lives?

“Father, please calm my fears by the power of your Holy Spirit. May I learn how to share Your love with people who are Muslim.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.”

Spend some quiet time comparing and contrasting these verses;

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. Romans 3:19-22

On that day you shall be exposed, not one secret hidden. Then he who is given a book in his right hand shall say, “Here read my book; Surely I believed and I would encounter my reckoning.” So shall they be in pleasant life. In a sublime garden. Its clustered fruits nigh. “Now eat and drink with pleasure, for what you did in days gone by.” But he who is given his book in the left hand shall say, “Would I was not given my book, and never knew my account!.... Take him and fetter him, Then roast him in Hell! Sura1 69:19-26, 31
Both treat sin with devastating, eternal, seriousness...but what’s different?

1) Note: there are 114 Suras (or chapters) in the Quran

Freedom in Christ

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea; your offspring would have been like the sand, and your descendants like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me.” Isaiah 48: 17-19

One of the most common expressions in the Muslim world is “enshaalah”, “if Allah wills.” In fact, Islam means “submission to Allah’s will.” So what is Allah’s will? Many devout Muslims follow these 5 pillars: The Creed (devotion to Allah and the Prophet Mohammed), Ritual Prayer (5 times daily), Almsgiving (2½% to the needy), Fasting (during the month of Ramadan), and Pilgrimage (once in a lifetime to Mecca). By doing these things, they sincerely hope to please Allah. It is hard to imagine such a life-long burden.

Listen to our triune God -- Creator, Redeemer and Counselor. He teaches us the way to go. He encourages us to pay attention to his commandments. He promises peace and righteousness in a family of God. With gentleness and respect, wouldn’t it be wonderful for a Muslim to meet the living God and walk with Him knowing that Jesus paid the price for every sin he or she will ever commit? Be open to the Holy Spirit using you for just such a purpose.

Who is Jesus?

“The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah….say not ‘Three’- Cease! (it is) better for you! - Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son.” Sura 4:171

Ironically, the Quran contains 97 references to Jesus and only 25 to Mohammed. In the Quran, Jesus had a virgin birth, fashioned a bird out of clay and breathed life into it, and ascended directly to heaven being taken up by Allah. But the Quran explicitly refutes that Jesus was ever crucified for our sins. Jesus is viewed as a great prophet along with Adam, Noah, Abraham, David and Mohammed.

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:13-17

As Jesus walked among men, many viewed Him as a great prophet, not the Son of the living God. So it is with Islam. Nothing new under the sun! Notice how Peter was able to make a true confession. Pray that the Father would reveal this same truth to a Muslim you know. Watch for a prepared heart!

Prayers for our Muslim Neighbors

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12

We’ve learned a bit about Islam the past few days which can equip us to reach out to our Muslim neighbors. Pointing out the errors of their faith, however, will not bring them to Jesus. This is not an intellectual battle, but a spiritual one. So pray dear brothers and sisters…pray at all times in the Spirit!

Dear Heavenly Father, please put the truth of Your Word deeper into my heart each day as I reach out to my Muslim neighbors. Cover my heart with the breastplate of your righteousness found in Christ our Savior. Make me ever ready to share the gospel. For it is you in whom I put my faith, in you I know that I am saved, in your Word that I find the power to share. Please move the hearts of those Muslims who cross my path that they may come to know You -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

The Missing Name

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. I John 4:7-12

According to Muslim tradition, there are 99 names for Allah. In the Quran he is referred to as “Eternal”, “Gracious”, “the King”, “the Slayer”, “the First and Last” and many others. But there is one notable absence. Nowhere in Islam does it say that Allah is Love.
Love -- Agape, is the selfless, sacrificial and unconditional love of God in Christ Jesus. In the deepest part of our soul, everyone wants to be loved. Our Muslim neighbors are no different. May God remove the fear from our hearts so that we may see them as precious to God and in need of Him. Serve them, love them, be ready to share the good news with them – with every gentleness and respect.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen and Amen.

For more information see “Speaking the Truth in Love to Muslims” by Roland Cap Ehlke; Copyright 2015, Northwestern Publishing House, Milwaukee, WI.