Page 125 - World Religions I - Islam

4. The student should be able to understand the obstacles that a Muslim person faces when accepting Christ as
their Savior.

15.3 Sharing your faith with Muslims

The regions of Islam represent some of the deepest pockets of lostness on Earth. Until the latter half of
the twentieth century, the Muslim peoples had been basically neglected by the mission of Christianity.
Christ mandated that his followers go into all the world to preach the Good News. How can you reach
out to the Muslims with the love of God?

Concentrate on who Jesus is. Muslims have a differing view of Jesus and why He came to earth. And they
emphatically deny that Jesus was God’s Son who sacrificed Himself on a CROSS. They deny the cross. Why is the
Cross so important?

Why the Cross?
A Muslim will ask you, “Why would Allah allow His Prophet Isa to be mistreated and killed?” Jesus’ death was
essential because (here is the Gospel) . . .

• Every person is a sinner: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Whether
dishonoring parents, telling a lie, failing to love God best, or disbelieving God’s Word, we each have sinned
against the holy God.

• The punishment for sin is death: “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). God pours out His wrath
against unbelieving sinners by separating them forever in hell (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9). As the just Judge, God will
not overlook sin.

• We cannot save ourselves by good works: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not
from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). This is a key
difference between Christianity and Islam. Islam teaches that a person can earn paradise by keeping the Five
Pillars. Even if possible to outweigh bad deeds with good deeds, the Bible teaches that “all our righteous acts are
like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6b). Even one single sin makes a person guilty of breaking all God’s law (James 2:10).
Sinful humans can do nothing to merit heaven.

• God sacrificed His Son for sinners: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God knew mankind’s sin kept them from
heaven. God knew the only way the sin debt could be paid was by a perfect One paying the price of death. God
knew He alone could pay such an infinite price. So, God’s eternal plan was to send His Son Jesus to die in the
believing sinner’s place. The Muslim needs to understand these truths!

Develop Personal Relationships
The most effective way of sharing your faith with Muslims is through personal relationships. It's extremely rare that one
happens upon a social encounter with a Muslim and has an immediate and effective witness. A sincere friendship
characterized by trust and compassion can earn you the right to be heard.

• Don't consider the Muslim as an enemy to be conquered, but rather a person to be loved.
• Make sure that any relationships are not superficial and hollow.
o Make the effort to develop genuine friendships.
o Don't just act like you care; people can sense when you're not being genuine.
• Do not make your friendship contingent on their response.

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