BEING LIKE JESUS CHRIST

Recently I have been thinking about some of the most basic questions about Christianity that we often gloss over. For example, “What does it mean to be like Jesus?” We talk about this a lot, and rightly so. As disciples of Christ, it is of the most important questions that we should answer. For over 20 years the questioning phrase “What Would Jesus Do?” has been used and overused in Christian circles. But what does it really mean to be like Jesus?

I think if we’re really interested in being like Jesus, there are two things that Jesus did that we should do our absolute best to replicate as His disciples. The first thing that Jesus did was He became like those He was trying to reach. He did this in a very literal way. John 1:14 describes Jesus as the “Word made flesh.” Jesus literally changed his very being to become like those He was trying to save. Now certainly we cannot follow Jesus in this way. I highly doubt that we should become exactly like the people we are trying to reach. However, Jesus gives us guidance on how to accomplish this task to the best of our human ability. First Jesus shows us, through His own example, that we must treat outsiders and sinners (even using this phrase makes me uncomfortable, as if I am not a sinner) as equals. After all we are equals. We see in Mark 2:15-17 we see Jesus hanging out with sinners and treating them as equal to himself. He did not look down on them, and he didn’t treat them as markers on His way to some evangelistic quota. In the book Ministry of Healing, Ellen G. White says something very interesting about Jesus’ method of evangelism. “The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, "Follow Me." There is need of coming close to the people by personal effort. If less time were given to sermonizing, and more time were spent in personal ministry, greater results would be seen.” I feel like churches (or at least people in my denomination) talk a lot about witnessing to people, but don’t talk as much about finding out what people want, or what they need, or wanting to really know who they are. The second thing that we can do in order to become like those we want to reach is to empathize with them and try to truly understand who they are. I think this is what Paul means when he talks about winning souls to Christ in 1 Cor 9:19-23. Paul was willing to forsake his freedom to understand the chains that bound others. He became as others in order to win them to Christ. It begs the question of whether we are willing to do the same, or whether knowing all we know and acting like we know it is too important to us to relinquish.

The second thing that Jesus did is the most obvious – Jesus gave his life for us. He gave up everything for us in order to redeem us, to give us the opportunity to be reconciled with Him one day. How much more can you say about that? Jesus went through pain and agony that none of us could ever imagine just because He loved us so much. I’m not sure that we can say that we are trying to be like Jesus if we are not willing to sacrifice for those we are trying to have join us in the kingdom. Furthermore, the sacrifices that we are called to give are so light in comparison to what Christ gave for us. So often all we have to sacrifice is time, treasure, talent, and selfishness. A small price to pay for a step that may end in the salvation of someone’s soul.

When I first began thinking about this, I thought I would at some point make a critical pivot to the things that we do when we say we’re being like Jesus, but don’t really show the heart of Jesus at all (even if those things mirror His actions). I thought I would talk about how we insert ourselves into the lives of others based on what we think we know when we don’t have the mind of Christ. I thought I would talk about how we attempt to tell people to go and sin no more. I thought I would talk about the way we judge people. But instead I want to end with the words of Paul. Interestingly enough, the title that the compilers and translators of the New American Standard Bible give to the first section of Philippians 2 is “Be Like Christ.” Paul says,

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

If we can find a way to do this – to have the type of attitude that exalts others above self. If we can rid ourselves of selfishness and empty conceit, if we can empty ourselves and humble ourselves to the will of God, than that, above all else, is being like Jesus.

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As a servant of Christ from a Muslim background, who has been called to be an ambassador of His Kingdom to proclaim the gospel in the Daya tribe that 100% of the population is Muslim, I ask for his support and prayers. The evangelistic ministry we and our family do is not the motivation of mission or church institutions, but our evangelistic ministry is because of the impulse of God's love for those Muslims who still live in the teachings of Islam that are misleading their lives. If not Christians like us who want to love them, who can continue? Through this article, I ask for support, through financial support and prayer. Your support is very meaningful for this Daya evangelism service. Let us love!

Reaching in Love to Muslims

The best way to win a Muslim’s trust is to show the love of Christ to him.  Jesus said, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect‘ (Matthew 5:44-48).

It is not the Muslims but the ideology that they follow is the problem. Muslims are prisoners of it bound by Satan and thus spiritually blind (2 Corinthians 4:4). Let us show Christ-likeness. ‘Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love’ (1 John 4:8). Love will not be satisfied with anything less than the total salvation of its object.

"Pray for Muslims"

Our burden of prayer should be like Paul (Romans 10:1; 9:1-3). It is not us but the Holy Spirit who convicts and wins the minds and hearts for Jesus. Ask a Muslim, ‘May I pray with you?’ Often the reply is yes. They do believe in Jesus as the Prophet, healer and miracle worker. As Christians we need to remember them in our prayer and supplications and ask for guidance to share the gospel. ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up’ (Galatians 6:9).

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Jesus Christ Loves Muslims

Muslims are loved by God in the same way that He loves all people. Like all humans, Muslims are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Like all humans, Muslims sin and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Like all humans, God loved them so much that He sent His son, so that those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life (John 3:16).

God calls Muslims to Himself!
God designed all of us to seek after Him. That includes Muslims. "From one man, He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole Earth", …God did this so men would seek Him and perhaps reach out to Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:24-31, especially 26,30)." Like you and I, God has placed "eternity in their hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11)."

The only good Muslims … are most Muslims.
The media tends to picture Muslims as wild-eyed terrorists who want to bomb America and kill all Christians. The overwhelming majority of Muslims are peace-loving, hospitable people.
(See "Are most Muslims terrorists?")

Muslims are people, too!
Most Muslims are concerned about the same things as you and I. They want to raise their children well, they are concerned about rising crime and pornography, and work hard to pay their bills and survive. Like us, most Muslims decry human suffering and violence between peoples. Many Muslims yearn for peace, friendship, and a happy life. We share the same concerns and needs.

God is at work among Muslims!
Many Muslims are sensitive to God and spiritual things. Because they fear God and are aware of spiritual reality, Muslims often speak of how God appeared to them through dreams and visions, just like He did to the God-fearer Cornelius (Acts 10:1-8). Stories abound of healings because of God's power through Jesus. An increasing number of Muslims are hungry to know about God's dramatic work through Jesus.

Because we are spiritually related.
Many Muslims look to 'Ibrahim (Abraham) as "our forefather (Romans 4:1)." Since those who follow Jesus call Abraham "the father of all who believe (Romans 4:11)," that makes us 'cousins'! Like us, Muslims believe in one true God, the Creator of all peoples.

Because they value our Holy Book and Jesus.
The Q'uran specifically commends the Torat (books of the Law, the first five books of the Bible); the Zabur (the Psalms, or wisdom literature); and the injil (the Gospels). Jesus was sent by God to Earth; Jesus healed many during his ministry; and he is returning to judge the living and the dead.

Because they have something to teach us.
Muslims take the spiritual world very seriously and generally are more open to discuss spiritual issues. They have a very high respect for God and His power. Muslims place a high value on community and loyalty. Hospitality is very important to them. These are qualities that most westerners appreciate in their Muslim friends.

God made promises to their ancestors.
Many Muslims look to 'Ibrahim (Abraham) as their descendant through his first son, Ishmael. God made this promise to Ibrahim: "As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and I will make him fruitful, and I will multiply him. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation (Genesis 17:20)." God fulfilled this promise, for there are over one billion Muslims in the world today!

Because God promised that Muslims who follow Jesus will be part of the multitudes who are gathered about the Throne of God.
When God gathers all His people at the end of time, there will be representatives from every people group on the Earth, "from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing before the Throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, …crying out in a loud voice, 'Salvation to our God who sits on the throne… (Revelation 7:9,10)!"

As a servant of Christ from a Muslim background, who has been called to be an ambassador of His Kingdom to proclaim the gospel in the Daya tribe that 100% of the population is Muslim, I ask for his support and prayers. The evangelistic ministry we and our family do is not the motivation of mission or church institutions, but our evangelistic ministry is because of the impulse of God's love for those Muslims who still live in the teachings of Islam that are misleading their lives. If not Christians like us who want to love them, who can continue?
Through this article, I ask for support, through financial support and prayer. Your support is very meaningful for this Daya evangelism service. Let us love!

#GospelForDayaTribe #KomeringUlu #Indonesia

Why Christians Must Love muslims?

Who among us is loveable? I mean loveable to God? The Apostle Paul doesn’t rank peoples and nations, but rather puts us all in the same category, writing, “None is righteous, no, not one” (Rom 3:10), and “no one understands; no one seeks for God” (Rom 3:11), in fact, not just you and me, but “All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Rom 3:12). Paul says with authority that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). That certainly levels the playing field of humanity. None are good and certainly not good enough to work their way to heaven, so we must learn to look at people differently, and that means Muslims are not our enemies any more than atheists, Buddhists or Hindus are. We are no better than they, and they are no better than we. The only difference is God saved us, but He is saving others too, including those who have come out of various world religions but also out of atheism and agnosticism.

In many cases, where missionaries can’t go, Jesus has appeared in dreams and visions to people of various faiths around the world, including the Islamic faith. It doesn’t matter to God where someone is. He can move heaven and earth to save one soul, and we know it’s His will that none should perish, and that includes Muslims. Many former Muslims have come to know the Jesus of the Bible…the Son of God Who died for their sins…cleansing all who would trust in Him. There are certainly concerns about Sharia Law taking over certain areas of the nation, but the vast majority of Muslims are not terrorists and we shouldn’t treat all Muslims as if they are. That’s looking at the outside and not the heart, as God does (1st Sam 16:7). Many Muslims who immigrated to the U.S. or Canada have done so to escape Sharia Law or the radical elements of Islamic extremists. They are tired of the violence, and so when they are exposed to Jesus as He truly is (like in the gospel of John), they see that He teaches that we are to be praying for our enemies, doing good to those who do bad to us, and blessing those who curse us (Matt 5:44; Luke 6:28). That’s Jesus’ way and it must be our way too if we are to be His disciples and hope to be used by God to lead some to Christ. The love of God is a powerful magnet to Muslims, and our love for them should act in the same way.

Undoubtedly, God has been calling many former Muslims into the church. They too are created in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), and God has “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place” (Acts 17:26), and He created all the nations so “that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27). As Paul said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28), “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Gal 3:29). The children of God are the children of God, not because of sex, color, national origin, or former religion. They become the children of God when they trust in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Remember that Abraham was a pagan when God called Him and the Apostle Paul was the church’s arch enemy, imprisoning and killing Christians, but God saved him. This shows that the worst of sinners can be saved, and that’s why grace is so very amazing. Why try to witness to Muslims? We’re told to go into all the world, and not just certain people groups (Matt 28:18-20). Why not Muslims, or Buddhists, or atheists, or anyone you see? Even the Jews will be restored to a right relationship with God, and the day will come when “Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you’” (Zech 8:22-23).

If we are fearful or afraid to even talk to a Muslim, then we’re taking the wrong approach and we must be uneducated about Muslims, but we’re also having a memory lapse, because we too were once an enemy of God (Rom 5:10). Our true enemy is the one we should be concerned about. He’s a powerful and yet invisible enemy that truly is an enemy ours (Eph 6), but even he and his minions can’t keep us from God (Rom 8:37-39), and someday that enemy will face the judgment of God (Rev 20:10). Muslims are not our enemies, they are people that God wants to save and is saving and, and by our love and prayers for them, God might possibly use us as a means to save some.

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Why Christians Need To Love Muslims

Fear of those who belong to the Islamic faith is not a completely irrational fear. It is natural to be afraid of those whose religion teaches them to kill infidels who will not convert to Islam. It is natural to fear those whose religion has motivated suicide bombings, hijackings, and all matter of atrocities all over the world. However, while fearing Muslims might be natural, it is certainly not Christian. It is not “of Christ” to fear “those who kill the body” (Matthew 10:28). Nor is it “of Christ” to hate them.

I have heard people – who claim to be Christians – speak with utmost disdain, hatred, and fear of those of the Islamic faith. Personally, I think we need an attitude adjustment.

Both the Old Testament and the New Testament teach the principle, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39; Galatians 5:14). Of course, the people of Jesus’ day felt they were being obedient to the command by loving only those who were of their race and their religion. Jesus was discussing this principle with an expert in the Law, and the lawyer, “desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor'” (Luke 10:29)? In response, Jesus taught the parable of the “Good Samaritan.”

If Jews and Samaritans were “neighbors” and God expected His people to love Samaritans as themselves, don’t you think God would expect us to love our muslim neighbors as ourselves?

Obviously, not all Muslims would consider themselves Christians their enemies, but many of them would. If you will not love Muslims because they are your neighbor, then at least love them because Jesus told you to love your enemies. Jesus said in Luke 6:27-31,

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

We are not talking about having a warm and gushy feeling in your heart. We are talking about benevolent love. We are talking about love that can be seen. We are talking about giving to them generously and treating them in the same way you want to be treated. Jesus went on to say in Luke 6:35-36,

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Love, kindness, and gentleness are virtues we should express to everyone, including those who hate us, despise us, and persecute us. If we cannot be kind and merciful to our enemies, we cannot be “sons of the Most High.”

I have heard many Christians express sentiments like, “We should just drop a nuclear bomb on the whole Middle East and turn the whole thing into a parking lot!” I’m not saying we don’t have a right – and even an obligation – to defend ourselves against attacks; but as Christians, our desire should be for Muslims’ salvation – not destruction. Doesn’t the book of Jonah teach us that? And doesn’t God’s nature teach us that as well, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

I think Christians should study the religion of Islam, be familiar with the Quran, learn about the Sunnis and the Shiites, and know who Muhammed was. We don’t need to learn these things in order to fear them or hate them, but to know how to reach them with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. If they don’t hear and obey the Gospel, they will be lost eternally (Romans 10:14-16). And that breaks my heart!

“What if they kill us?”

“That’s alright. I’m going to heaven. Besides, we don’t walk by fear. We walk by faith (Matthew 10:28; 2 Corinthians 5:7).”

“What if they don’t listen?”

“That’s alright. We’ll be like Ezekiel and preach whether they hear or refuse to hear (Ezekiel 2:5).”

The bottom line is this, we need to love and pity anyone who isn’t in Christ. We need to reach out to them in love. We need to share the gospel with them when we have the opportunity. Even when they attack us and hurt us, we must be careful not to develop a bitter and hate-filled heart. Let me leave you with the words of the apostle Paul from Romans 12:17-21,

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I love you and God loves you, Evangelist Mulwan Thasir.

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