Are You Fearful of Muslim Evangelism?
- Date: 2009-07-28 - Word Count: 749
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What are specific fears that Christians have of Muslims?
Terrorist attacks- We have a tendency, if we don't know much about Islam, to associate all Muslims with countries controlled by Muslims, and then to associate most of them with terrorists. Muslim's beliefs vary much the same way as Christians'. Some are more dedicated (taking jihad to terrorist extremes), and others are like some Christians-- wanting only to live well and have good jobs and families.
Dedication and commitment to their religion- We might be afraid to share our beliefs with Muslims because we fear their dedication to their own way of thinking. We might be afraid that they'd have too clear an argument for us to handle. This fear only comes if we are not solidly grounded in what we believe, and are focused on ourselves and how it might reflect on us if they reject our message.
Once fears like these are defined, many would encourage, "Don't be afraid! Share your beliefs without fear!" How do we do that? Is there anything that should change in my thinking, or should I just "not be afraid?" Let's call these fears by their true names:
Lack of love-- The Bible says that, "There is not fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear " (John 4:18). We also read that, "God is love" (I John 4:16), and anyone who believes in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection has God's Spirit in him. That would include His love. Often we take our focus off of God, and focus instead on our fears. In doing so we quench the love of God. If we claim that salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, is the only way, we have no reason to fear, and every reason to share the love of God with others, including Muslims.
Lack of compassion/ Lack of God's spirit-- Always as our example is Jesus- God in the flesh- who continually showed His love and compassion for the lost, "When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36) "As He approached and saw the city, He wept over it." (Luke 19:41) Would that all believers would have this heart of God's; to see as He sees.
Lack of prayer-- How often do we ask God to give us a love for who (or what) we fear most? Jesus commands us to, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) So, regardless of our fear, and even though we consider the Islamic religion our enemy, we are to pray for the people. Jesus also told us to pray for workers to bring in the harvest of souls, "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37,38) Is it possible to pray this prayer from the heart without a willingness and desire to be that worker? We should make this our prayer: "Give me Your eyes for just one second; give me Your eyes so I can see everything that I've been missing; give me Your love for humanity. Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted; ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten; give me Your eyes so I can see." (Lyrics from "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath)
Lack of trust in the Lord-- When we allow our fears to scare us away from evangelism, we are, by our actions, declaring God unfit to be our source of trust. If we would only look at Scripture and see God's faithfulness and provision despite (and through) fear, we'd be rightly ashamed of our lack of trust. "I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4) "When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 56:3,4) "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
Now we can make the corrections needed in our thinking and fears; trust God, show His love, have compassion and God's spirit, and pray for Muslims as well as the rest of the lost world!
Terrorist attacks- We have a tendency, if we don't know much about Islam, to associate all Muslims with countries controlled by Muslims, and then to associate most of them with terrorists. Muslim's beliefs vary much the same way as Christians'. Some are more dedicated (taking jihad to terrorist extremes), and others are like some Christians-- wanting only to live well and have good jobs and families.
Dedication and commitment to their religion- We might be afraid to share our beliefs with Muslims because we fear their dedication to their own way of thinking. We might be afraid that they'd have too clear an argument for us to handle. This fear only comes if we are not solidly grounded in what we believe, and are focused on ourselves and how it might reflect on us if they reject our message.
Once fears like these are defined, many would encourage, "Don't be afraid! Share your beliefs without fear!" How do we do that? Is there anything that should change in my thinking, or should I just "not be afraid?" Let's call these fears by their true names:
Lack of love-- The Bible says that, "There is not fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear " (John 4:18). We also read that, "God is love" (I John 4:16), and anyone who believes in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection has God's Spirit in him. That would include His love. Often we take our focus off of God, and focus instead on our fears. In doing so we quench the love of God. If we claim that salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, is the only way, we have no reason to fear, and every reason to share the love of God with others, including Muslims.
Lack of compassion/ Lack of God's spirit-- Always as our example is Jesus- God in the flesh- who continually showed His love and compassion for the lost, "When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36) "As He approached and saw the city, He wept over it." (Luke 19:41) Would that all believers would have this heart of God's; to see as He sees.
Lack of prayer-- How often do we ask God to give us a love for who (or what) we fear most? Jesus commands us to, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) So, regardless of our fear, and even though we consider the Islamic religion our enemy, we are to pray for the people. Jesus also told us to pray for workers to bring in the harvest of souls, "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37,38) Is it possible to pray this prayer from the heart without a willingness and desire to be that worker? We should make this our prayer: "Give me Your eyes for just one second; give me Your eyes so I can see everything that I've been missing; give me Your love for humanity. Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted; ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten; give me Your eyes so I can see." (Lyrics from "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath)
Lack of trust in the Lord-- When we allow our fears to scare us away from evangelism, we are, by our actions, declaring God unfit to be our source of trust. If we would only look at Scripture and see God's faithfulness and provision despite (and through) fear, we'd be rightly ashamed of our lack of trust. "I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4) "When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 56:3,4) "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
Now we can make the corrections needed in our thinking and fears; trust God, show His love, have compassion and God's spirit, and pray for Muslims as well as the rest of the lost world!
Aleena Denison has a heart for seeing the message of the Bible presented in a clear way,and is dedicated to sharing Jesus with the lost and helping believers see their responsibilities in evangelism, discipleship, and Bible study.rFor more information and free downloads, see http://www.goodseed.comn
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