Jesus: The Cure for Hatred

Christianity is unique. Every other religion is based on works. Every other belief system has a large set of rules to obey. Many religions also treat apostate members with contempt.

Only in Christianity can a person be saved by God's grace and not by any meritorious works they've done. Ephesians 2:8 and 9 (BBE) explains, "Because by grace you have salvation through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is given by God: Not by works, so that no man may take glory to himself."

Though Israel was given many commandments, they had one thing in common. A certain scribe asked Jesus which is the greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-40 (BBE) shows his answer. "And he said to him, 'Have love for the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest rule. And a second like it is this, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself. On these two rules all the law and the prophets are based."

Many religions are hostile to other belief systems, Islam being the most obvious example. But Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-45 (BBE), "You have knowledge that it was said, Have love for your neighbour, and hate for him who is against you: But I say to you, Have love for those who are against you, and make prayer for those who are cruel to you; So that you may be the sons of your Father in heaven; for his sun gives light to the evil and to the good, and he sends rain on the upright man and on the sinner."

Another aspect of Christianity's uniqueness is that we are adopted into Christ's family. Paul explained this mystery when contending with those who wanted to go back to observing the law which Moses gave Israel. Galatians 4:4-6 (BBE) explains, "But when the time had come, God sent out his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, That he might make them free who were under the law, and that we might be given the place of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, saying, 'Abba, Father'".

And as for apostasy, we don't kill those who leave the faith like the Qu'ran orders its adherents to do. As the Apostle John noted in 1 John 2:19 (BBE), "They went out from us but they were not of us; if they had been of us they would still be with us: but they went out from us so that it might be made clear that they were not of us." Therefore, we need not punish them but admonish them to return and repent.

I could write much more on this subject but I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? We need to realize how precious God's gift of salvation is and take what Christ said with all seriousness.

On Saturday, I'll post about the ultimate interstellar alien and his future invasion of planet Earth.

New Testament Vs. Qu'ranic Treatment of Women

If God and Allah are the same person, why the sudden change in the treatment of women? It would seem that God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, should arbitrarily change marriage and divorce laws.

Jesus ratified the ancient covenant of marriage when he said in Matthew 19:5-6 (KJV), "And said, 'For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?' Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

This prompted the Pharisees to ask why Moses allowed divorce to happen. Jesus replied in Matthew 19:8 (KJV), "He saith unto them, 'Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.'"

Islam, on the other hand, affirms polygamy. Sura 4:3 sets out how many wives a man may have. "If you fear you cannot act fairly towards theorphans—then marry the women you like—two, or three, or four. But if you fear you will not be fair, then one, or what you already have. That makes it more likely that you avoid bias.

And speaking of divorce, the Qu'ran also allows it for the sake of dissatisfaction. Sura 66:5 says, 'Perhaps, if he divorces you, his Lord will give him in exchange wives better than you: submissive, believing, obedient, penitent, devout, fasting—previously married, or virgins."

The New Testament doesn't have any instruction regarding dividing worldly inheritance. Even so, Jesus and the apostles focused on the eternal inheritance in heaven. Luke 12:13-14 (KJV) states, "And one of the company said unto him, 'Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.' And he said unto him, 'Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?'"



But look what the Qu'ran says about dividing the earthly inheritance. Sura 4:11 states, "Allah instructs you regarding your children: The male receives the equivalent of the share of two females. If they are daughters, more than two, they get two-thirds of what he leaves. If there is only one, she gets one-half. As for the parents, each gets one-sixth of what he leaves, if he had children. If he had no children, and his parents inherit from him, his mother gets one-third. If he has siblings, his mother gets one-sixth. After fulfilling any bequest and paying off debts. Your parents and your children—you do not know which are closer to you in welfare. This is Allah's Law. Allah is Knowing and Judicious."

And look at what sura 4:34 says about the treatment of women. "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as Allah has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what Allah would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. Allah is Sublime, Great."

But Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:25 (KJV), "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;"

I could write so much more on this topic but this post is getting too long. Instead, I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People need to understand that the God of the Bible and Allah are diametrically opposite to each other.

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.

Jesus: Son of God or Mere Prophet

As I have shown before, Jesus is the Son of God. But Muslims believe he was merely a prophet. So who's right?

Luke 9:18 -20 shows that Christ was thee Messiah and no mere prophet. "And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, 'Whom say the people that I am?' They answering said, 'John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.' He said unto them, 'But whom say ye that I am?' Peter answering said, 'The Christ of God.'"

No true prophet would have let Peter say such a thing but Jesus, who is God, praised him for it. Matthew 16:17 (KJV)says, "And Jesus answered and said unto him, 'Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.'"

Neither would any mere prophet say what Christ said in John 8:58 (KJV). "Jesus said unto them, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.'" Jesus used the sacred name of God in that seemingly awkward sentence, causing the Pharisees to pick up stones with witch to stone him for blasphemy but he escaped.

But the Qu'ran states in sura 2:135-136, "And they say, 'Be Jews or Christians, and you will be guided.' Say, 'Rather, the religion of Abraham, the Monotheist; he was not an idolater.' Say, 'We believe in Allah; and in what was revealed to us; and in what was revealed to Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus; and in what was given to the prophets—from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him (Allah) we surrender.'"

Additionally, sura 3:59 claims, "The likeness of Jesus in Allah's sight is that of Adam: He created him from dust, then to him, 'Be,' and he was."

This clashes head on with what Christ himself declared to John in Revelation 1:8 (KJV). "'I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,' saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." Now how could a created being say such a thing?

So much more could be written on this topic so I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People need to know that Jesus is coequal with God and therefore is to be worshiped.