Dial Daily Bread

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread":

What is the fundamental difference between genuine Christianity and Islam? It has to be in the very idea of God—who He is. The first chapter of the Koran reveals the Muslim idea of God: Allah, “the Beneficent, the Merciful, Lord of the worlds. Owner of the Day of Judgment.” Very exalted idea, solemn. It’s the heart-moving concept of monotheism, deliverance from the confusion and darkness of pagan polytheism. Muslims are profoundly thankful that they are not pagans; they regard any idol worship or reverence for idols as blasphemy. And that stirs their loyal jihad-indignation.

 

The idea of God that Jesus tells the world is different. He is “our Father, which is in heaven,” whose name is “hallowed.” The idea is purest intimacy of family love that grips the human heart from babyhood and always cries “Abba! Father!” (Rom. 8:15). The fatherhood of God is the fundamental idea that Jesus preached over and over. To every human soul He proclaimed, God is YOUR Father!

 

And such a heavenly Father is far more than being “Owner of the Day of Judgment.” He “is love [agape],” an idea absent from the first chapter of the Koran. So great is His love for a sinful world that He gave Himself in the giving of His Son to die the second death. He “poured out His soul unto death,” that ultimate death of total denial of self (Isa. 53:12). There has to be a Father and Son that the Son may reveal the Father’s love in such a way. In genuine Christianity, every believing human soul also becomes “owner of the day of judgment,” for the agape (which God is) “casts out fear” of judgment (1 John 4:18). Human beings are not Allah—forever no; but believers in Christ become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). They too bear the cross. Many Muslim hearts yearn to understand. Let’s tell them.

Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.

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