Islam and Christianity on Revenge

I know that many of us know what the Bible says about revenge, specifically what we should do about wrongs done to us. But the Quran teaches its adherents differently regarding this subject.

Sura 30:47 (THE ROMANS) states, "Before you, We sent messengers to their people. They came to them with clear proofs. Then We took revenge on those who sinned. It is incumbent on Us to help the believers."

However, Romans 12:19 (KJV) teaches us who follow Christ, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.'"

On the other hand, the Quran has this to say, both about enemies and those who refuse to submit to Allah. Sura 8:12 (THE SPOILS) reads, "Your Lord inspired the angels: “I am with you, so support those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike above the necks, and strike off every fingertip of theirs."

But our Lord gave us a noble command regarding those who wish us harm. Matthew 5:44 (KJV) reads, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

Furthermore, Muslims are commanded in the Quran to have only believing friends except in one circumstance. Sura 3:28 (FAMILY OF IMRAN) states, "Believers are not to take disbelievers for friends instead of believers. Whoever does that has nothing to do with Allah, unless it is to protect your own selves against them. Allah warns you to beware of Him. To Allah is the destiny."

This flies in the face of what Jesus taught. Paul also showed that there's no qualification regarding if the neighbour is a believer or sinner. Romans 13:9 (KJV) is clear on this point. "For this, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet;' and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

This is another subject on which I could point out the ways Christianity is superior when compared to Islam or any other human religion. I'll save what I've written about this for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? It's obvious from reading both the Quran and the Bible that our scripture is far superior in every way.

On Thursday, I'll write about prophets coming after John the Baptist and whether or not they were sent by God. That's bound to stir up controversy, especially among Muslims and Mormons.

The Rejecting Suffering Error

Should we really reject suffering? Certainly it makes sense to deal with physical pain since it's a warning that something's wrong. And though we suffer emotionally, we should deal with that too.

The suffering I'm writing about is persecution for having faith in Christ. It can be as mild as somebody mocking our faith to having our lives violently ended. We plainly read in 1 Peter 4:12 (KJV) that, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"

I certainly experienced this in school when I witnessed to my fellow students about the great gift Christ offers humanity. It was difficult to take the mocking of my friends but I persisted for a while. I didn't know back then about the verse in James 1:2 (KJV) which says,"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;" I certainly felt like quitting but I clung tightly to my faith.

Fortunately, I knew about what Christ said in Matthew 5:11 (KJV). "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake."

I also did my best to practice Matthew 5:44 (KJV) which says, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

Luke 9:26 (KJV) continually reminded me that, "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels."

It's counterintuitive to rejoice in suffering. Even so, we have good reason to do so. Paul, who suffered extreme persecution, wrote what God told him regarding weakness and suffering in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV). "And he (God) said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

The Lord's ways are contrary to ours. That's why I'm writing a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? The human way is to do works in order to please the Lord. God's way is for us to surrender our lives to the authority of Christ and to receive forgiveness. The Lord's way is the only acceptable way and we must obey it in order to be in heaven.

I'll be posting on Thursday about how people want to use a god of power when the real God wants yielded people.

Christ Vs. Mohammad on Enemies

One of many major differences between Christianity and Islam is the treatment of enemies. Christ famously said in Matthew 5:44 (KJV), "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

Just before that, he commanded in Matthew 5:39 (KJV), "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."

Christ's apostles likewise believed in living in peace with others. Romans 12:18 (KJV) admonishes, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."

We don't repay evil for evil because that's up to God to repay. Hebrews 10:30 (KJV) instructs, "For we know him that hath said, 'Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense,' saith the Lord. And again, 'The Lord shall judge his people.'"

But Muslims are instructed not to even have unbelievers as friends. Look at what sura 60:1 says. "O you who believe! Do not take My enemies and your enemies for supporters, offering them affection, when they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the Truth. They have expelled the Messenger, and you, because you believed in Allah, your Lord. If you have mobilized to strive for My cause, seeking My approval, how can you secretly love them? I know what you conceal and what you reveal. Whoever among you does that has strayed from the right way."
 
And instead of praying for enemies, the Qu'ran says this in sura 8:12. "Your Lord inspired the angels: “I am with you, so support those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike above the necks, and strike off every fingertip of theirs."
  
This, and many other comparisons, I want to include in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? We who believe in Christ must discern truth from poison. This is why God gave us his Word in written form. We therefore must understand truth from counterfeits.