The Christian Challenge

I really love the letter of holy apostle Paul to the church in Rome. There's really so much there to feed on, as to how to live as a Christian. It's not Jesus teaching us as He does in the gospels, but it's the Holy Spirit, whom He promised to send, and who will lead us into all truth (John 16:5-15), who speaks to us through the words of the holy apostles.

In my previous post I recapped a comment I left on a Muslim blog, in which I attempted to respectfully point out why I think that their efforts to reform Islam by editing the Koran to omit the verses that they feel "do not come from Allah" was not going to work. Although they subjugated many cultures of superior merit (such as Egypt, Babylon, Persia and Byzantium) and assimilated them into the Islamic empire and religion, the grafting of these good fruit-bearing branches to a tree bearing evil fruit did not change that tree. The thing to do is to chop down that tree, uproot it, and plant a new tree, one that bears good fruit. I concluded with the testimony that the Bible is the tree that bears good fruit, and that the good fruit is Jesus Himself.

By inviting them to turn away from reforming Islam and toward Jesus, I was taking a risk. I call that risk, "the Christian challenge." It's a risk because those who identify themselves as Christians don't always speak and act as Christians, as followers of Jesus. The content of "the Christian challenge" is what we find in the epistles, like these verses from Romans. Can we honestly invite Muslims or any other people into the fold of Christ's flock, if we ourselves do not follow what God is speaking to us here?

Do not let your love be a pretense, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying. If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you should make hospitality your special care.

Bless those who perescute you: never curse them, bless them. Rejoice with those who rejoice and be sad with those in sorrow. Treat everyone with equal kindness; never be condescending, but make real friends with the poor. Do not allow yourself to become self-satisfied. Never repay evil with evil, but let everyone see that you are interested only in the highest ideals. Do all you can to live at peace with everyone. Never try to get revenge; leave that, my friends, to God's anger. As scripture says: Vengeance is Mine—I will pay them back (Deuteronomy 32:35), the Lord promises.
But there is more: If your enemy is hungry, you should give him food, and if he is thirsty, let him drink. Thus you heap red-hot coals on his head (Proverbs 25:21-22). Resist evil and conquer it with good.

Romans 12:9-21

Jerusalem Bible

My Christian brothers, think of these words I just cited from holy apostle Paul. To me, this is a challenge to everyone who says he believes. My Muslim brothers, if you've visited my blog and just read what I have written, and what I cited from the Holy Bible, think about these words. Isn't this the way of life that deep down you too know is right? Compare these words of holy apostle Paul to what you find written in the Qur'an and the Hadith, just as I asked you to compare Muhammad with Mary the virgin mother of Jesus. Isn't the contrast obvious? Isn't the difference between the tree of evil fruit and the tree of good fruit inescapable?

Christian brothers, take the challenge. Muslim brothers, take the challenge. I invite the first to be what they claim to be in word and deed, and the second "to taste and see that the Lord is good." And to both I say, it is ours to begin the work, but it is God's to finish it.

Do not let your love be a pretense,

but sincerely prefer good to evil.

Romans 12:9