I was sitting au the low bar at a Waffle House. A man told how he just got back last week from a trip to Jamaica with his wife. I told them how my family and I are leaving next month to spend a week in Jamaica. One man sitting at the bar two persons down to my right told me to be careful, you see on the news all the time of the terrorist attacks. The discussion at the bar then turned to terrorists, the war in Gaza, Palestinians, Muslims and Islam. The conviction, passion and joy with which these Christians talked about God damning Muslims to burn in hell troubled me. I countered back biblically and theologically, even tried rationally, but I was out numbered, and the heated debate I found myself in was not one I was going to win, or change any hearts of those with whom I was engaging. Madison/Huntsville with Redstone arsenal and all the military contractors and suppliers can be a city over the top with American patriotism and mob mentality towards non-Christian cultures and people. I walked out thinking, there still is allot of work left to be done for the kingdom of God!
When I walked outside I noticed the back on an SUV in the parking lot. It had several bumpers stickers on the back of it. One said, “I’d rather be waterboarding terrorists.” The one that saddened me the most was this one, It had a smiley face then the words “If you are a Muslim, you will burn in hell! (John 14:6).”
This verse John 14:6, is the one most quoted by those who enjoy the thought of their enemies (typically the Muslims and the Democrats) burning in hell, is the verse in which Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
I don’t pretend to know anything concrete about the referent to that word “hell” so carelessly tossed around by some Christians and so carelessly tossed out by others. But I do know that it has a referent. And there is enough description surrounding it to indicate that whatever hell is, it is a big problem. I also know that I am not God, so how I may handle this problem is irrelevant. God handled it by sending his Son to be killed by and for the world. He only requires the gratitude due, which, if genuine, will produce a commitment to the truth and a commitment to the way. Only to the grateful will the life be granted. As one old preacher once said, “This is God’s universe and God does things his way. You may have a better way, but you don’t have a universe.” So the next time you proclaim John 14:6, make sure your mouth and your body; the truth you profess and the way you live, are in sync with your bumper sticker. And if they are not, sit down and shut up until you become grateful. Do the world a favor and just be still until you know that you are not God.
My family, instead of delighting or regretting that those of another Religion do not know Christ, let’s join together and love and pray for them. The Islam holiday of Ramadan starts this Sunday March 10th at sunset. Millions and Millions of Muslims will fast and pray for one month, most earnestly, trying to hear the voice of God. Let’s join together in prayer that they hear from the one true God and encounter Jesus Christ.
I did; now you all need to go to the link below; watch the video; sign up; share this with your friends; and let’s join together and start praying over our Muslim brothers and sisters starting this Sunday
Please share your thoughts on this reflection in the comment box below.
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