Let’s be honest... the battle for the souls of humanity emanates from ones religious perspective. It has always has been that way and always will be that way, until “truth” is confirmed by the second coming of Christ. Your worldview and your eternal future boils down to what you believe and why you believe it.
So much of what you read, hear and see in world events comes from Muslims seeking to discredit and destroy Christianity. Radical Muslims kill non-violent Christians! They see Christianity as a rival and obstacle to their goal for Islamic world domination. Of course, Christians then retaliate in non-violent ways to refute Muslim claims and indeed discredit the religion of Islam. They do so, not out of spite or vengeance, but out of a pursuit of truth and genuine desire to offer all humanity a way to discover and share in a relationship with the real true God of heaven and earth.
So, for this final installment on the Islamic religion, let’s just examine the real issue of what is going to happen to you and me when we die.
Muslims will describe their activities of going to the Mosque on Friday, praying 5 times a day, keeping Ramadan, following the teachings of Mohammed in the Quran and the hadiths as the core of their religious practice. They believe if you do good deeds, you have a chance of getting closer to Allah, and then they hope for the best. The “best” would be their definition of salvation, heaven eternal reward for faithfulness. For Muslims, the question, "are you going to paradise?" is answered in three words... "if Allah wills." but one never knows... "Inshallah" God will decide – whether it be hell or paradise. A Muslim’s grasp on salvation is almost like playing the lottery or rolling the dice in a game of chance. You never know if you will win or lose.
The word "hell" appears scores of times in the Quran. Another fearsome word the Quran uses to describe hell is "fire." The unbelievers are clothed with fire of which there is no end. If Allah wills, believers may be taken to the gardens of delight where underground streams flow but no one knows what Allah will ultimately decide to do with them.
Its understandable that Muslims would be discouraged from asking questions about ideas in the Quran that bother them. One should not question Allah... that is what they have been taught. In Islam, Allah is viewed as a far off distant God, a being to be feared, who is always ready to punish wrong doers.
Do you know where you are going? There is no assurance whatsoever offered in Islam concerning where you will end up. Muslims who say that they are doing good works, and trying to live a life pleasing to Allah have no assurance of salvation. Islam the religion and its god Allah offer no peace, no assurance that any faithful devout Muslim will avoid hell. Their good deeds may never be enough. If you are a Muslim woman, it is almost a forgone conclusion you will never gain paradise. The Quran gives little hope to its adherents.
Now, let’s consider the great story of the Bible. It begins with the story of God’s creation of the world and the first man and woman. This is on of God’s greatest acts of love. The world God created for humanity is a world that provides all that is needed for life.
Unfortunately, man’s sin alienated him from God. Adam and Eve, their turning away from God knocked humanity’s future off track, was that the end? How do we get back to God?
The Old Testament foretold a Messiah that would come who would bless mankind. Who is this blessing? It is none other than Jesus, the Christ! What does that mean for humanity? God in and through Christ, is offering peace and forgiveness to the people s of this world. And he has given us (those who have asked Christ for forgiveness and received it and experienced his great love (Acts 2:38)) the work of sharing his message about peace. Christians who are sent to speak for God, are asking all of humanity to listen to HIS message as revealed in the inspired Holy Bible. Christ followers [Christians] speak for Christ and sincerely ask everyone to make peace with God. (2 Cor.5:19-20)
The true God loves humanity so much that he sent his Son to reveal what He is like. He sent his Son to bring forgiveness to us. He sent his Son to promise us life in His presence forever. (John 3:16) The most awesome truth in the world is that while all people have sinned, God still loves us so much that he made it possible for us to be forgiven and to know Him. Are you bothered by a hollow feeling, an empty feeling, that Allah is distant and you can’t find him? Do you long to be saturated with the real true God’s peace and love?
Islam is a religion. Religion involves doing things, saying prayers, keeping rituals. However, the Christian faith is not a religion but a restored relationship with God. You can have a personal relationship with Jesus, if you accept Him as your savior. There is no waiting to see what will happen to you at death. You can claim the promise of eternal life now and know that you are going to experience eternal life when you die. Jesus told a religious man, Nicodemus, that he must be born again. A spiritual rebirth must take place now. (Acts 2:38) Don’t assume all Christians have this relationship. There are cultural [nominal] Christians just like their are nominal Muslims.
Muslims, whoever you are and wherever you live, you can have a relationship with Jesus. You can experience a new beginning, a new birth, you can handover your life to the real true God and embrace Him as your Lord and Savior. If you are searching for peace, forgiveness, and eternal life you can have it in personal relationship Jesus as your Lord
Remember the words of the Gospel: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." (John 3:16-18 ESV)
Mohammed said, here is the way of obedience, you must follow it. In contrast, Jesus said, "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 ESV) Jesus declared, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10 ESV)
Do you think your works can compare with God who loves you so much that he has promised to forgive you if you come to Him through Jesus? Which do you think is wise to chose: the way of works that ends in failure, or the way that leads to life. You have to chose between a false religion in which you must earn God’s approval or a relationship with God who forgives and promises you everlasting life in a restored paradise.
The real difference between Islam and Christianity, casting aside all the arguments of men, is the OFFER –– Eternal Life. God’s promise to anyone who seeks Him, accepts Him and lives a faithful life.
