“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers…Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeeliever?” 2 Corinthians 6:14a; 15b
Over the years I have had the opportunity to visit with, work with, some honorable men who followed the tenets of Islam. I have also had them in my home
It is interesting studying their perspectives on life, listening to their positions on religion in general and, Christianity, in particular.
I have discovered many things we shared in common. We both want our children to be well educated. We want our grandchildren to grow up in a world of peace. We pray that our days would be reasonably healthy and our endings swift and painless.
There were many matters of the heart and mind that bring us together.
And there are fundamental matters of faith that kept us apart.
We didn’t hate each other; we didn’t despise each other; we don’t put each other down.
On the contrary, we respected each other and the sincerity of our individual beliefs. But there comes that time, and there always comes that point in time when and where we fundamentally disagree. We disagreed completely and totally on how we were to be saved from the penalty of our sins.
I believed I was saved by Jesus’ sacrifice; they believed they were saved by their compliance to the Koran, the prophet, and the tenets of Islam.
This is why I was amazed to read how some Christians celebrate Ramadan – the time when Muslims refrain from food and drink during daylight hours. I was surprised to hear these Christians considered this a gesture of solidarity that would deepen respective faiths and send a message about finding peace and common ground.
It’s an interesting philosophy but if I’m reading the above Scripture correctly, it’s not an accurate one. The truth is that while Christianity believes God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has paid the ransom to save us, Islam does not. The truth is we believe we are saved by grace through faith in the Christ and Islam does not.
Somebody is right in what they believe, and somebody is wrong.
Now understand, I believing in respecting the faith of others; I believe in dialoguing with them and sharing with them and witnessing to them of the Savior who saves. But I can’t pretend there is common ground when there isn’t. I can’t pretend there’s more than one way to heaven when there is not.
My Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, for Your sacrifice, Your suffering, and Your death that saves, I am most grateful. I pray the Holy Spirit will keep me and those around me in the faith. But I also pray for those who are still in darkness. May they see the wonders of Your love and the power of Your grace. In Your Name! Amen.
Have a Blessed Week:
Pastor Bob
About Pastor Bob
About Me:
I have pastored four different churches over the past forty years.
I have the best wife in the world, four wonderful children all "following in His footsteps," and and eight wonderful grand children.
I'm happy! I'm Blessed!
Interests:
God is number one in my life. Followed by my family.
My other interests are
American and World history,
the French Language,
Italian food,
Carpentry,
Traveling and
Viewing the beauties of nature, as well as working out at the gym.
Favorite Movies:
Some of my favorite movies are
Ben Hur,
The Ten Commandments,
Casablanca,
Gone With the Wind,
Apocalypse Now,
Schindler’s List and not the least
Narnia.
Favorite Music:
My two favorite Christian artists are
John Tesh and Steven Curtis Chapman.
I like the voice of Josh Groban
the style of Abba
the mood music of pianist Floyd Cramer and
I like to listen to Classical music while driving my car.
I like some western music as well.
Recently I listened to some of the exceptionally great music and
by Mannheim Steamroller.
Favorite Books:
The book that influences my life the most is the Bible and the second book that influenced my life the most was John Bunyan's "Pilgrim Progress."
My favorite author is Norman Geisler.
I am a non-recovering book-a-holic I presently have five books on the go not to mention the other dozen (bargain basement) books on my shelf that I have yet to crack open and indulge in.
Life is good because God is good.
I believe that "The Best Is Yet To Be!"
If you have any questions regarding the Christian life, I would be only too glad to try to help.
In His Great Name!
Pastor Bob
As I See It
The Dance of Compromise
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers…Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeeliever?” 2 Corinthians 6:14a; 15b
Over the years I have had the opportunity to visit with, work with, some honorable men who followed the tenets of Islam. I have also had them in my home
It is interesting studying their perspectives on life, listening to their positions on religion in general and, Christianity, in particular.
I have discovered many things we shared in common. We both want our children to be well educated. We want our grandchildren to grow up in a world of peace. We pray that our days would be reasonably healthy and our endings swift and painless.
There were many matters of the heart and mind that bring us together.
And there are fundamental matters of faith that kept us apart.
We didn’t hate each other; we didn’t despise each other; we don’t put each other down.
On the contrary, we respected each other and the sincerity of our individual beliefs. But there comes that time, and there always comes that point in time when and where we fundamentally disagree. We disagreed completely and totally on how we were to be saved from the penalty of our sins.
I believed I was saved by Jesus’ sacrifice; they believed they were saved by their compliance to the Koran, the prophet, and the tenets of Islam.
This is why I was amazed to read how some Christians celebrate Ramadan – the time when Muslims refrain from food and drink during daylight hours. I was surprised to hear these Christians considered this a gesture of solidarity that would deepen respective faiths and send a message about finding peace and common ground.
It’s an interesting philosophy but if I’m reading the above Scripture correctly, it’s not an accurate one. The truth is that while Christianity believes God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has paid the ransom to save us, Islam does not. The truth is we believe we are saved by grace through faith in the Christ and Islam does not.
Somebody is right in what they believe, and somebody is wrong.
Now understand, I believing in respecting the faith of others; I believe in dialoguing with them and sharing with them and witnessing to them of the Savior who saves. But I can’t pretend there is common ground when there isn’t. I can’t pretend there’s more than one way to heaven when there is not.
My Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, for Your sacrifice, Your suffering, and Your death that saves, I am most grateful. I pray the Holy Spirit will keep me and those around me in the faith. But I also pray for those who are still in darkness. May they see the wonders of Your love and the power of Your grace. In Your Name! Amen.
Have a Blessed Week:
Pastor Bob
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About Pastor Bob
About Me: I have pastored four different churches over the past forty years. I have the best wife in the world, four wonderful children all "following in His footsteps," and and eight wonderful grand children. I'm happy! I'm Blessed! Interests: God is number one in my life. Followed by my family. My other interests are American and World history, the French Language, Italian food, Carpentry, Traveling and Viewing the beauties of nature, as well as working out at the gym. Favorite Movies: Some of my favorite movies are Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, Apocalypse Now, Schindler’s List and not the least Narnia. Favorite Music: My two favorite Christian artists are John Tesh and Steven Curtis Chapman. I like the voice of Josh Groban the style of Abba the mood music of pianist Floyd Cramer and I like to listen to Classical music while driving my car. I like some western music as well. Recently I listened to some of the exceptionally great music and by Mannheim Steamroller. Favorite Books: The book that influences my life the most is the Bible and the second book that influenced my life the most was John Bunyan's "Pilgrim Progress." My favorite author is Norman Geisler. I am a non-recovering book-a-holic I presently have five books on the go not to mention the other dozen (bargain basement) books on my shelf that I have yet to crack open and indulge in. Life is good because God is good. I believe that "The Best Is Yet To Be!" If you have any questions regarding the Christian life, I would be only too glad to try to help. In His Great Name! Pastor Bob