How to Love Your Muslim Neighbor
I was standing on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem when Jesus first began, in a significant way, to share with me His love for Muslim women.
For years, my nightstand has held books recounting the unprecedented ways God is moving today in the Muslim world. But that day on the Temple Mount, it was as though I saw Muslim women for the first time as real people. And I found myself being drawn toward them.
I didn’t want to preach at them or run from them. I simply wanted to be with them. I wanted to hear their stories. I longed to bridge the cultural, religious, and language barriers that separated us and whisper, “I’m so glad you were created! I’d love to hear your story—your hopes and dreams. The places of joy and sorrow you’ve known. I want to be with you.”
God’s Heart for Muslims
As I returned home, I began to realize that’s actually the reason for the gospel. The very existence of the Temple Mount tells the story of a holy and righteous God who made a way to be with those He created, those broken and wounded by the realities of sin and life in a fallen world. Those wandering far from the God who loves them.
Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
(Isaiah 30:18)
“I want to be with you” is God’s heart toward us, and we gratefully embrace that gospel truth, right? But how do we respond to God’s “I want to be with you” heart for the Muslim world? For the Muslims in our country? For our Muslim neighbors and coworkers?
They too are created in the image of God. They too are being fervently pursued by God’s relentless love and mercy that delivered you and me out of darkness and into the kingdom of God.
But Carrie, aren’t Muslims enemies of the cross of Christ?
Yes. And so were we.
Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
(Eph. 2:12, emphasis added)
[God] desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
(1 Tim. 2:4)
Aren’t followers of Christ around the globe being horrifically persecuted by radical Muslims today? Yes.
We weep with our brothers and sisters in Christ and ask the Lord to redeem their suffering and bring many into the kingdom of God. And we remember that our Lord graciously prepared us, telling us that such atrocities would happen.
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18).
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt. 5:44)
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. (1 Peter 3:14)