“. . . love your enemies. . . speaking the truth in love. . . “- Matthew 5:44 and Ephesians 4:15
We see throughout the world an invasion of Islam by way of immigration without assimilation. For rational human beings opening borders to immigrants who persistently refuse to assimilate but instead look to indoctrinate and impose on citizens their Sharia Law, would seem borderline treasonous. But there are some who believe that open borders facilitate an environment where people of diverse beliefs and cultures learn through contact with one another to live harmoniously together. They see this as a strategy for prejudice reduction.[1] It’s a pipe dream devoid of reality, out of touch with the reality of sinful human nature, and doomed to go down with the weak whimper of a compromising Can’t we all just get along?
One look at cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, in America, and in Europe, Paris, London, Brussels, Marseille where crime rates regularly far outpace those in suburban and rural areas, should silence those who feel a cosmopolitan world view is the answer to the world’s ills. Cosmopolitan compromise is no match for the invasive strategies of politically militant religions like Islam. Compromise is not the answer to those who are militantly uncompromising and have only a disdain for your beliefs, laws, culture, and national identity. Add to this the coupling of Socialist/Communist ideology such as the Democratic Socialists of America Party whose platform wants to eliminate the Senate, defund police, open borders and emasculate citizenship, and a future under such control looks bleak. [2]
Despite the realities of rising heated unrest due to Islamic invasive problems people persist in compromise. Did you know that Egypt was once a Christian nation? Did you know that Syria was once a Christian nation? Did you know that Lebanon was once a Christian nation? Did you know that Iraq was once a Christian nation? Did you know that Turkey was once a Christian nation? All these nations now live under Islam and Sharia Law. Compromise is ineffective in addressing Islam. Problems such as a forced alternative Sharia Law, forced second class citizen dhimmi status for non-Muslims, rape gangs, child marriages, spousal abuse, and streets shut down for the Muslim Adhan calls to prayer are not going away through compromise. These imposing and insensitive intrusions are not going to stop by compromising with them but are only going to increase and steamroll those who have been beaten down with threats of Islamophobia.
Islam is using our system of government and freedoms against us to push their way in, use our welfare benefits, run for office, gain influence and power, and then take territory for their caliphate. Islam is a huge problem throughout the world today. It’s a huge problem in our nation. But the solution is not merely political. Reviving a McCarron-Walter type law is not the answer. Just getting out the vote is not enough. The power of politics is limited. Deportation is a nightmare and quagmire as we have seen. The solution to the Muslim problem is not compromise and it is not merely political. There is a better way.
“And yet I show you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31). The best way to deal with Islam is not compromise politically or even legislation and law enforcement alone, it is love. “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Now I can hear people say something like, “But Pastor, what you said in the first four paragraphs of this article did not sound loving!” Such a response exposes the underlying problem. We have misinterpreted what “love” is. We have retreated from the Biblical definition of love.
We are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Without truth, love is compromised. Love “rejoices in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). The clear truth is that Islam does not ascribe to any Western kumbaya togetherness that respects Western freedoms. Islam defines “liberty” much differently than Christians do. In Islam you are free to submit to Islam and free to function in submission to Sharia Law. “Peace” to us is coexistence with those who are different. “Peace” to Islam is submission to Sharia Law by all. All those who refuse to believe Islam or who oppose Islam and the Quran are kafir or second class and less than Muslims. It’s the height of inequality. That is the simple truth, and it must be faced. That is deeply imbedded in the heart of the Muslim. Therefore, the solution to the Muslim problem must get to the heart of the problem. That is where the Gospel comes in.
We are called by Jesus to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). Loving our enemies is what distinguishes true Christianity from every other religion, including Islam (cf. Surah 4:89 and 9:5). Muhammed the “prophet” of Islam says of those who oppose Islam that they should be crucified (Surah5:33), slain (Surah 2:191 and 9:5), fought against (Surah 8:39), slaughtered (Surah47:4), besieged (Surah 9:5), terrorized (Surah 3:151) and maimed (Surah 5:33). How are we to stand up to that? Are we to be “lambs for the slaughter”? Sometimes that is God’s will for us. “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter” (Romans 8:36; Psalms 44:22). But I also think maintaining societal peace and security is the role of government (Romans 13:1-7). If you don’t want to be slaughtered, vote, get involved in government, run for office. In our system of government we have options to maintain peace, security, order, and justice. But lasting peace with the Muslim, that can only come through the gospel.
Loving our enemies is not something that comes naturally to us but is something poured out into us by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Love, true love, is supernatural, from the Father (Romans 5:8). We are sanctified or set apart as God’s instruments by the truth we speak, truth that is rooted in God’s word (John 17:17). Loving our enemies sanctifies us, it sets us apart from common responses such as hate and anger found so often in politics (Luke 6:27-35). When the Christian couples together an uncompromised truth with a Spirit provided love, they become extraordinary.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Sinners are separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Sinners are destined for an eternal fiery destiny (2 Thessalonians 1:3-10). The sinner’s heart is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9-10). The solution to the sinful Muslim problem is to help them see their plight and show them the way to get a new heart through the gospel of Jesus Christ. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). Sharing the way to a new heart, and how one can enter into an eternal saving relationship with God Almighty, and the way out from an eternal destiny of torment is the most loving thing anyone can do for those who are lost. Don’t be ashamed of that, proclaim that!
But here’s the problem. Much of the Church has been inoculated against God’s truth. It has been inoculated by way of compromise. The Church has been seduced by the lie that the truth of God can be trimmed down, diluted, sweetened, and made more palatable for sinful people so they will drink it in. But a diluted gospel is a polluted gospel. A polluted gospel is a powerless gospel. A powerless gospel is welcomed by no one, least of all Muslims who see their best way to heaven as giving their lives in Jihad!
The compromise is that a substantial portion of the Church is more concerned with attendance, income, and popularity more than anything else, including true salvation of the lost. Truthfully, the only cost the Church is called to be concerned with is the cost of following Jesus and sharing Him and His gospel with the lost. Jesus said He came to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Jesus said He came to be a Witness to God’s truth. “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). Church, are you listening? Are you truly loving? Are you listening to Jesus?
When we compromise the gospel by omitting parts of it, we weaken it, diminish Jesus, and diminish its effectiveness. Worse, we have no right to diminish or change God’s gospel in any way, to do so is blasphemy! But is the gospel effective in reaching Muslims? Mosab Hassan Yousef, the oldest son of Hamas leader Sheikh Hassan Yousef, was powerfully saved by the gospel of Jesus Christ.[3] Dr. David Wood was instrumental in leading Nabeel Qureshi to the Lord. Nabeel became an incredible apologist for Christianity and had a highly effective ministry. Dr. Wood has seen an ever-increasing conversion rate among Muslims who are coming to Christ. [4] There is great hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ, powerful hope, hope for us, and hope for the Muslim.
God’s plan for us is not comfortable. God’s plan for us is not abundance of wealth, trendiness, or acceptance. That was never God’s priority for us. Jesus said to the Rich Young Ruler who had it all, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21). I think He is saying that to a lot of us in the Church today.
God’s purpose for us is to “be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). Our calling is to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:19; 8:229:9; 16:24; 19:21). We are instructed to “follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Our privilege, our honor, our blessing and yes, our duty is, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). What does that mean? It means the cross. It means sacrifice. It means pouring out yourself before God and praying “Not My will but Yours be done” (e.g., Matthew 26:38-44).
In Gethsemane Jesus prayed for us. It was His most fervent prayer. It was right before He went to the cross for us. What did He request of the Father on our behalf? Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). To be sanctified means to be set apart for God’s service. We are to be sanctified, set apart for God’s use, holy, uniquely connected to the truth of God’s word (John 17:17). And all of this we can do, not in our own strength, but in the strength of the Holy “Spirit of truth” (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13). The Holy Spirit is uniquely the “Spirit of truth.” If you have been born again and indwelled by the “Spirit of truth,” He should be producing truth in you and communicating it to the world through you. Is Jesus prayer being answered in you?
Compromise in the Church gets it caught in the middle of societies’ debates. The Church is too often responding with a weak useless whimper. When was the last time someone referred to the Church as, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too”? (Acts 17:6). Where is that Church? A substantial portion of it is cowering in cowardice. We have not been given a spirit of cowardice! (2 Timothy 1:7). We need to engage our Muslim friends. We need to engage our Muslim enemies. We need to engage the lost period!
Part of loving Muslims is to love them enough to learn how to effectively share the gospel with them. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evil doers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed” (1 Peter 3:15-16). “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts,” and know Him and His word so you can effectively know the differences between the truth and falsehoods opponents teach regarding Him. Muslims have vastly different views of Jesus and the gospel. We should, “always be read to give a defense” meaning study up, know what you believe, be certain of your own testimony. This would include knowing a bit about what Muslims believe so you can anticipate and answer their accusations. Be ready to give “a reason for the hope that is in you.” Because we are saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ on our behalf, we can be certain and full of hope regarding the future. A Muslim knows no certainty of his future because they believe in a god that can abrogate anything he says. When your eternal destiny relies on your works, you never know how much work is enough to get you into heaven. Be meek, which is not weakness but strength under control. Be reverent. Have a good conscience, have right motives. Do what you do out of love for the Muslim (2 Corinthians 5:14-21). Be above reproach, sincere, calm, polite. Expect the Muslim to have questions and accusations. But follow what the 1 Peter 3:15-16 verses say and in the end its likely the Muslim will “be ashamed” for any ill will they have against you.
You can put on a show and attract a large crowd in a church, but that doesn’t mean what is happening is spiritual, of the Spirit or is the “Church.” Large crowds don’t necessarily mean the Spirit is moving or what is happening is from God. And I’ll tell you something, most Muslims laugh at the modern “Church” and its circus and entertaining atmosphere. Muslims respond to the power of the gospel conveyed in the truth and love of the gospel.
Three thousand were added at the birth of the Church (Acts 2:41). After that we see mention that the Lord “added to the church” (Acts 2:47; 5:14; 11:24) and even “multiplied greatly” the disciples (e.g., Acts 6:7; 9:31). But there is another multiplication that we don’t see so much of in our day, and that is, “But the word of God grew and multiplied” (Acts 12:24). We see people being coaxed into churches today but often at the expense of God’s word not by the increased multiplication of the teaching and preaching of God’s word. That should tip us off that something is wrong.
Jesus stated, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). Often people discard God’s word and the gospel because they say, “It doesn’t work.” Why doesn’t this “gospel” work? Those who alter the gospel would say that it is out of date, archaic, and needs to be modernized. They blame the lack of power in the Gospel on being an outmoded message. The cross of Christ and the blood of Jesus are seen as being too coarse, even repulsive. But Jesus and His word are unchanging (Matthew 24:35; Hebrews 13:8). The blood of Jesus has not lost its power. That is light. That is truth! (1 John 1:7). The gospel truth of God’s word is still powerful. The reason there is so little power and freedom from sin through much of the Church today is because the “gospel” being presented is “really no gospel at all.” The “truth” of the gospel has been compromised, removed.
We are likely in the twilight years of planet earth as we know it. The Apostle Paul warned of these last days writing, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Muslims ears twitch at Quranic teaching. Sinner’s ears twitch at carnal sin approving teaching. Some “Christian” ears twitch at carnal teaching. Deception tickles the ear and deadens the heart.
In the first century Paul wrote the Galatians stating, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7). Paul goes on to warn, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9). Paul said that because he knew the power of the authentic Gospel of Jesus Christ and because he had a burden for the lost. “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).
Remember, the nature of the gospel is that it is offensive. When the Apostle Paul referred to the gospel he often described it by way of the Greek word skandalon. Skandalon is translated “stumbling block” and “offense” (1 Corinthians 1:23; Galatians 5:11). We get our English word “scandal” from this word. The gospel by nature is scandalous! The Apostle referred to Jesus as, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense [skandalon]” (1 Peter 2:8). Because of this, we ought to expect some people to take offense at the gospel, no matter how much we speak the truth in love.
Remember, being inoffensive is often justified by those who say, “love does not offend.” But “love” is said to “rejoice in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). A heresy is a half-truth. It’s hardly an act of love to expect someone to make a decision of eternal consequence based on half-truth. Jesus wants us to speak the truth in love. That means loving people enough to risk offending them. True love speaks the whole truth. There is self-denial, a cross and following involved in coming to Christ (Luke 9:23). Paul wrote, “. . . I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). Peter wrote, “It is written, ‘Be holy for I am holy'” (1 Peter 1:16). Jesus said our top priority was to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). God takes a back seat to no one and no thing! That’s part of the Gospel! That’s God’s truth!
Maybe you’ve been reading this and wondering “Where do I stand with the Lord and His gospel? Am I saved?” Or maybe you’re wondering, Just what is the gospel I should be sharing? The word of God is clear about the gospel (literally “good news”) of salvation.
All people fall short of what God requires to get into heaven and are sinners (Romans 3:21-25). People are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-3). Everyone has broken God’s Law. The truth is, even just one offense condemns (Galatians 3:10; James 2:10). Jesus is God’s standard to get into heaven (John 16:8-11). Jesus said the destiny of the sinner is separation from God (Matthew 25:32), everlasting fire (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 19:20), everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46), and an everlasting sad, lonely, darkness (Matthew 8:12).
God Himself has made provision to reconcile us to Himself in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Only God incarnate could live the required perfectly just life and pay the price for the sins of all people (Isaiah 53:4-6; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11). The Bible tells us, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19). That is grace; God’s Riches/Redemption at Christ’s Expense. We are what we are by God’s grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). Salvation and forgiveness for our sins is based on Jesus’ atoning work on the cross and God’s offering forgiveness based on Jesus’ work, freely as a gift of His grace (Ephesians 2:1-9). The just penalty for our sins is death. Jesus paid our death penalty on the cross. God offers us the benefits of that as a gift to be received by faith (Romans 6:23).
God’s salvation is a gift to be received on His terms, by faith (Ephesians 2:4-10). Jesus requires us to make a decision about Him. To make no decision is to decide against Him (Matthew 12:30). Indecision is decision. He also requires us to publicly confess our faith in Him (Matthew 10:32-33). God forgives us when we repent (Acts 2:38-39) and trust Him to forgive us on the basis of the work Jesus has done (Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-8). Salvation is free, but it wasn’t cheap. It cost Jesus His life. God loves us and knows we can’t save ourselves. He has done the work for us. He sent Jesus to die and pay the penalty for sin instead of us (2 Corinthians 5:21). We need only accept it. An acronym for the faith that saves is Forsaking All I Trust Him to forgive me of my sin. Your prayer for forgiveness could be as follows:
Father, I come to You in Jesus’ name. I admit I am a sinner and have sinned against You. Right now, I am turning from my sin to You in faith. I ask You to please forgive me of my sin. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me; to pay the penalty for my sin. I ask Your Son Jesus to come into my life to be my personal Lord and Savior. I ask You to please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Help me to be your disciple. In faith I thank You that You have forgiven me. Thank You that I’m now a child of God. Thank You that I’m going to heaven. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
When you pray that prayer from your heart, understand that the Bible states you are born again (John 3:1-21); a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17); a child of God (1 John 3:1); you are forgiven (Colossians 2:13).
When you become a Christian you are born again into the Body of Christ which is called the Church (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Holy Spirit has a spiritual gift for you to use to serve God (1 Corinthians 12-14). You have a part to play. God has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11-14; Ephesians 2:10; 4:11-16). You need to be taught God’s word and learn about your faith and Who God is (Acts 2:42; Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Timothy 1:12). Find a church where you can be taught the word of God and where you’ll find the support of loving fellowship (1 John 2:3-11). Read God’s word on a regular basis and pray to your heavenly Father in the name of His Son Jesus. Begin by going back and reading all the scripture references in this study. Let them sink in prayerfully.
That is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, the powerful truth of the gospel, so help me God. But that’s not always what is being shared in the Church or its ministries. That’s the truth that will save the lost sinner from their sin. Don’t settle for half-truths or anything less than the whole truth of God in His word. Don’t let any devilish birds steal the whole truth of God’s word from you. Only the whole truth of the whole gospel provides a way for you to enter into a powerful life changing personal saving relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Don’t settle for anything less than the whole truth (1 John 1:1-4). And as members of the Father’s family, in the power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus, and for the glory of God, STAND IN and FOR GOD’S TRUTH! SHARE THE WHOLE TRUTH! It’s truly the only thing that matters. Love the Muslims around you enough to speak the truth to them. That’s the only true and effective solution to the problem of Islam.
Lord, make us what we need to be, to do what you call us to do, for Your glory, until Jesus’ return, in Jesus’ name, amen.
[1] “Open to Contact? Increased State Openness Can Lead to Greater Interest in Contact With Diverse Groups” (Hotchin & West, 2021, published via NCBI/PMC).
[2] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/long-march-through-institutions-led-socialist-takeover-dem-party-need-wake
[3] His personal testimony (English) — “Son of Hamas” story of leaving Islam/Hamas and becoming Christian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzTxN-DV0P8 / His widely-viewed 2017 speech at the UN Human Rights Council (on behalf of UN Watch) — this is the “testimony” many people mean when they reference him speaking publicly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rClsarOLYoI /
[4] “MUSLIMS ARE LEAVING ISLAM BY THE MASSES! David Wood REVEALS The Numbers” (YouTube Shorts) — https://www.youtube.com/shorts/h821qmY-0uw / “Why Muslims Are Leaving Islam for Christianity” — Pints With Aquinas, Ep. 550 (full interview with Matt Fradd) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOjtBsyJ5V4 / “David Wood Discusses the Present Collapse of Islam” — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbvmflX4aa8