I am concerned about the rhetoric of those called Anti-Islamists.
Yes, there are extremists in Islam who cry “death to America” and want to impose Sharia law.
And yes, Christians are the most persecuted religion in the world, and much of that persecution comes from Muslim nations where Christians are oppressed and even killed for the sake of Christ.
But are these the majority of Muslims? Absolutely not! Millions of Muslims have assimilated into our culture. They are moral people, devoted to their families, working diligently on their jobs, good neighbors, and loving people to those who befriend them.
I am a believer in Jesus Christ!
→ Son of God
→ Miraculously born of a virgin
→ He taught us how to live in a way that pleases God
→ He died as the ONLY righteous and sinless sacrifice for the sin of all mankind
→ He rose again from the dead with victory over sin, death, and hell
→ Sitting at the right hand of God interceding for us
→ And coming again!
I therefore believe in what Jesus taught me:
Love your neighbor as yourself. Bless those who curse you.
Pray for those who persecute you.
This is why I am concerned about the rhetoric I am hearing: It is feeding hatred and division.
It is not in the image of Christ.
Jesus never led an anti-Roman movement! The people wanted Him to! They wanted him to drive out their oppressor and remove their occupier from their land! They wanted rid of the people who had come to impose their ways and dominate them! They wanted Jesus to drive them from the land and set up His kingdom on earth!
One day, He will … but not that way!
His way is to live a life of integrity and love and share the Gospel of hope and salvation that only Jesus can give – a salvation that fills me with joy, that covers me with unconditional love, and that gives me absolute assurance of my forgiveness and everlasting life!
That is the kingdom of God!
I am sure that the posts of these anti-Islamists will gain many more views and likes than this post, but that doesn’t make it right.
Don’t propagate hatred.
Live as the example of Jesus Christ and people will be drawn to the fragrance of Christ in you. They may not realize it; they may think that you are a really good person and they are simply drawn to you, but in reality, it is actually Christ in you that they are drawn to.
And that is how we change the world!
