Friday, 12 June 2009

• Muslim Friends

  The university we live near has a top drawer engineering and business reputation. Because of this, we have come to know and love many Muslim students over the years. One of our favorite things to do is to partner with another family to have them over for holiday meals whenever possible. It's a great opportunity for them to be included in our celebrations and to learn about them-- and to be exposed to the Gospel of peace.

  We've had all sorts of Muslims sit at our table. One of the most memorable was a young man who thought Osama bin Laden a hero. I don't know how you feel about my entertaining such a person, but if I didn't do it, how would such a Muslim begin to understand the hospitality of Christ?

  The first thing to remember about Muslims is that they are simply people with the same needs as any person. They like hospitality, and they need a listening ear. They want to make themselves understood, and they would like to say what's on their hearts without being engaged in a duel over it. I've learned to put myself in their shoes as they watch their countries crumble and crash in violence. They worry about their families and their futures, and they are frustrated. When they come to my table it's my job to send them away feeling as though they have been compassionately heard as well as fed. If I'm going to engage them in any kind of serious discussion about faith, I first need to show them that I care about them as people, and that I honor their presence with me. Ironically, it has been Muslims who have taught me that to sit at one's table is to honor them. I value that.

  The second thing to remember about interacting with Muslims is that they respect our faith if it is genuine. With them, it isn't what you say, but what you do, and the two had better be a match. If you are living an immoral life according to your own Book, you will be held in contempt-- and rightly so. You'll be a damned hypocrite. In the West, we bobble around thinking that the Bible is a squishy book that we can pick and choose from and pretend that God winks at sin. Muslims see right through that hole, and when it is there, it disgusts them. It should disgust the true Christian too, but this sort of nonsense is common with "Christians". We are guilty.

  The third thing to remember is to stick to the Scripture in truth and in peace. I, along with my husband carried on a long correspondence with a young Muslim man (it would be counterproductive to try to do it myself, as propriety rules against it in their culture). Over the years he has gone from a moderate stance on our countries' politics to an angered and perhaps extremist one. I thank God that my husband watches over this correspondence, because I have often written things in opinionated anger which he refuses to pass on. What in the world does my opinion matter? I have to remind myself of the goal, which is to proclaim peace, real peace, the peace of the Gospel of Christ. Anger cannot have part of this. I have to think on the things that my friend is writing and try to discern what it is that he really needs, and address that from Scripture. Now is the time for reconciliation. In His time, God will take care of judgement, and that's not my concern.

  I can't save Muslims, but the Word of God can do some very powerful things. It's just my job to expose them to that Word. I don't really care if I die doing it, either. If you are a Muslim reading this, I'll lay all the cards on the table: Don't fear the West. The West will come down all by itself of its own accord. All you have to do is avoid the Bible-- if you can. I know the power of God to save, and I know that God can get His Word to you in many different and startling ways. I don't have (or want) a sword or draconian laws to force you to it, just the authority of God to say it to you, and that I will. I will pray that you will hear it from others-- or from His own mouth, which has happened--if I can't do it myself. If He wants you in His Kingdom, there is no way you can avoid it.

  If you are a Christian reading this, look to your actions, confess your hypocrisies, and speak the Word in peace to others. You need the Gospel just as much as anyone, so speak it in humility. This Word was meant for the entire human race.

  • 9:22 AM
  • 19 Views
  • 0 eProps
  • 0 Comments