Dear Friends,
I've been noticing lately an increasing fear among American Christians of the spread of Islam in the United States through immigration. Today, I want to encourage you not to be afraid. Those Muslim immigrants that I have met personally have come here not to extend religious oppression and violence but to escape these things and to find peace and freedom, just as so many other groups have done before them. In other words, they came here because they share the values many Americans are concerned to protect, not because they want to take them away. But even if that were not true and the opposite were true instead, American Christians would have nothing to be afraid of.
Let's propose just for the sake of argument that Muslims from around the world have a shared goal of making Islam the dominant religion in the United States and changing our culture and our laws. What do you suppose Jesus would have his followers do about this? In Jesus' own time, this very thing had already happened to Israel. The Roman Caesars had set out to take over the world. They controlled Israel, chose it's puppet kings, and appointed its priests. They brought with them Greek culture, not just by happenstance, but deliberately and programatically. And they brought with them their own gods, forcing their religious practices, including worship of the Caesars, on the people. And yet, Jesus did not seem the least bit concerned about any of this. His goal was claiming human hearts for God and not political power or human nations. He treated the Roman government as if it were utterly irrelevant. If we are to be true followers of Jesus, we need to be careful not to become overly concerned with political intrigues. What matters is to win human hearts. And it turns out that controlling governments is not important in this battle. What is important is showing the love of Jesus.
Islam is often portrayed by well-meaning but uninformed Christians as a uniquely evil, violent, and oppressive religion. But most Muslims will tell you that Islam is a religion of peace. And the reality is that the teachings of the Quran are very similar to those of the Torah. From a Christian perspective, what is utterly unique is not anything about Islam but Jesus, who taught his followers a radically different lifestyle from everything we see around us. Those who are in Jesus are not under the law but under grace, living by the love of Jesus as we are led by the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Jesus taught his followers not to fear people of other religions or to fight them or push them away but to love them.
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children 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 own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matt 5:43-48
If you are in Jesus, this is your job. If you are concerned that Muslims may wish to make themselves your enemies, your marching orders from Jesus are to love them and to bless them, to be so good to them that they will see the light of Jesus shining through you. Fear is from the evil one and not from Jesus. Refusing care to strangers in need is from the evil one and not from Jesus. And war is from the evil one and not from Jesus. The Quran teaches that you should not start a fight but that, if someone else starts it, you finish it. This teaching is common in the United States and elsewhere. But Jesus teaches his followers not to finish it either but to consistently do good to anyone who does evil to us. This is unique, impractical, outlandish, and devastatingly beautiful. And this, Jesus says, is like God. If you are worried that Christianity will be drowned out by Islam, then don't use this as a reason to disregard the teachings of Jesus as if you imagine hate and violence have the power to save you and Jesus does not. Instead, boldly live out the uniqueness of your faith in Jesus so that all can see it. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).
Pray with me if you will:
Lord Jesus, keep me free from fear and teach me to love like you. Help me not to worry that doing good may result in evil but to focus instead on doing good to all, just as you have taught us, and trusting that you will make yourself known through the proclamation of the good news and through the relentless and faithful love of your people. Amen.
Love in Christ,
Michelle
