Islam and Jesus

The apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, spoke God’s will for us. He said, “But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should speak to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:8). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6). These are things that faithful Christians believe and accept because they are the words of the Lord, the Son of God.

In the year 570 A.D. a man entered history and began preaching a gospel contrary to that which had already been delivered to us by Jesus and His apostles. He instituted many religious reforms and correctly taught there was one God. His followers still use the Arabic word that means “one God” today to talk of Him… that word is “Allah.” The name of the religion he founded is “Islam” which means “submission” and refers to submitting to God. The Scriptures they use consists of the sayings of the founder written down by others and gathered together in the Qur’an. The man’s name was “Mohammed.” He is esteemed by Muslims as God’s greatest prophet. His teachings evolved somewhat through his life. His early teachings were much more peaceful and tolerant than his later teachings. Perhaps this is why Muslims have such different views of the things he said.

Mohammed erroneously thought that Christians worshipped three Gods; the Father, the Son and Mary. He believed that Jesus was a great prophet, but not the Son of God. He rejected the foundation of the gospel, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Christians ought to have good will toward Muslims everywhere, and hope and pray that one day they might come to accept the truth about God’s Son Jesus; Savior of the world. It is sad that in many places on earth, just speaking these things could result in death.

Jesus became the Son of Man that we might become the sons and daughters of God. He came to our world from heaven - where there is no fear, cold, darkness, pain or death. Here He lived in poverty. He never attended a prestigious school of theology. Yet even His enemies remarked , “Never a man so spake.” (John 7:46). He laid aside His heavenly robes and perfect splendor to take upon Himself human form. He left majestic heavenly courts to be born in a stable. He left adoring myriads of angels and other wonderful creatures, mighty, beautiful and wise to be welcomed by a small band of shepherds. The Scriptures say, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Cor. 8:9).

The teachings of Scripture is that Jesus is “the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:17-18). When Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me“, He meant it (note again John 14:6). If what Jesus said was a lie, then He cannot be a pathway to God,nor a prophet of God, at all. If what He said was true, then He is the only pathway to God.

Yes, there are sincere, dedicated worshippers of the Islamic faith. But neither sincerity nor the intensity of a belief can make a wrong idea right. It does not matter how strongly or sincerely I may believe that 1+1=3… it still equals 2. And Jesus still equals the only way to God.

Jesus came to prepare a lost people for spiritual riches and ultimate heavenly glory - and in all the universe He was the only one that could do it. He died, then conquered death, and has ascended back into heaven promising to one day return. At that time, He has promised that the tombs will open, the dead will rise and be changed from corruptible matter into spiritual, judgment will take place, and He will take His people home. Every tomb will empty itself of its contents at the sound of His voice… that is, every tomb except for one. It is already empty.