So what do we do with all this? For me, it may be one avenue for
reaching out to Muslims. They need to hear the truth not by pointing fingers
but by pointing out wisdom that is even hinted to in their own problematic
Qur'an. The fact that Muhammad is represented as an intercessor means that
Muslims understand the concept of intercession, of a savior, but they don't have
one they can depend on. Jesus Christ is one we can depend on
and he credibly demonstrated as much. If Muslims can learn this, they will gravitate
to him.
A related need is a real understanding of God's unconditional love, an idea that Islam rejects. With the Qur'an, Muslims have simply not been ingrained with the concepts of love that Christians have been blessed with through biblical scripture. On the contrary, they have been inundated with messages of hate, wrath, punishment, and alienation. It will be important that biblical love as we know it remain a continuing example of what God's truth is all about, what our faith is all about, and what everyone including Muslims needs in order to know true freedom, peace, and salvation.
What will make the difference is a personal commitment of love for Muslims,
and along with that a desire not to condemn but to include, and to understand
them and accept them where they are. They will know if ours is love or
piety. Lord, let it be love.
All Qur'anic quotes are from THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN published in 2003 by www.WhyIslam.org, an evangelistic Islamic translation with commentary.
All Biblical quotes are from the NEW LIVING TRANSLATION published by Tyndale House.