On Veteran’s Day morning, I thanked the Lord for the men and women who sacrifice and fight and die for our freedoms. Last week some soldiers were killed at Fort Hood, Texas. Although they were not in active combat, they were still honored as heroes.
One Muslim’s response to this was that there is only one reason a good Muslim should be part of the US military. That is to do things like what happened this past week. I prayed our government will see Islam for what it is, the enemy of our nation’s freedom. It really is a faith that teaches men to kill and maim and harm.
Then I prayed that Christians (myself included) will see Islam for what it really is, the enemy of freedom for men’s souls. It keeps people in bondage and fear. It gives people false hope that they are trusting in God when they are really trusting in Satan. And it leads people to a devil’s hell.
The problem with Islam is that it is backwards, opposite to the truth. It views Christians and people who disagree with Islam as worthy of punishment and/or death. This is the way to purge out sin. It requires punishment for sin and the death of the sinner to atone for sin. Christianity, the Gospel, holds out mercy and love to the sinner. It offers the sinner freedom, redemption, and salvation. It requires the death of the Saviour to atone for sin. And the Saviour’s death is completely effective. Romans 5:10,11 says, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
In Islam, the sinner dies by force. The Gospel teaches that the Saviour died by choice. Jesus said, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” (John 10:17,18)
Islam condemns the sinner to punishment and death. The Gospel offers the sinner salvation and the free gift of justification and eternal life. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly… But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us… Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” (Romans 5:6,8,18)
Islam requires the continual shedding of the sinner’s blood but is never satisfied. The Gospel required the shedding of the Saviour’s blood once for all and satisfied the wrath of God for ever. Hebrews 10:1,2 and 9,10 says, “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins... Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Islam imposes a fear of God that causes its followers to constantly be trying to appease God. The Gospel offers a personal relationship with God. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
Islam requires work for salvation. The Gospel offers rest for sinners. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9) “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Thank God for the freedom He has given us in this great country, the United States of America. And thank God for the freedom He offers us - salvation and eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ.