The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
Amidst all of the war and beheadings caused by the Islamic State, a miracle of rebirth is happening in the hearts of many. Muslims are discovering that there is a Christian God who is alive and with whom one can have a personal relationship. Those who have been taught to pray five times a day to Allah, and who, according to the Quran is “unknowable,” are learning what it means to communicate with a God who cares. They also are seeing for the first time a God of unconditional love.
Syrian and Iraqi refugees, many living in tents, are more open to the Gospel than at any time in history because of the atrocities by ISIS. The message of hope, salvation, and healing is being broadcast by radio, satellite, internet, and digitally stored solar-powered MP3 players using batteries because many of the refugees are illiterate and have no electricity. According to a Christian Aid Mission’s Middle East director, “We all agree that it’s the greatest happening since the beginning of Islam.”
God’s word will go forth, no matter what. The enemy does not realize that Christianity lives in the hearts of individuals, and that persecution causes it to flourish all the more. I have heard and read that Muslims cannot understand how it is possible to love one’s enemy.
However, the real enemy is Satan, who is seeking to keep all people in bondage to deception. One of the ways he is doing this is through false religion and “praying” to dead idols. Another method is by having people believe that they can earn their salvation by doing works or religious rituals. They are both substitutes for the real thing-salvation by grace through faith, apart from works, given as a free gift to anyone who puts their faith and trust in a living Lord and Savior.
When it comes to recognizing the truth of salvation, the horrific acts of evil being done by ISIS are only working against them. It has not come without cost, though. People have been gruesomely murdered because they have refused to deny their faith in Jesus, like the recent beheadings of four young children. A spiritual battle is being fought for the eternal fate of each and every soul. Many Muslims are finding the eternal truth made possible by regenerated hearts, and not by futile religion.
Jesus made the claim recorded in John 14:6 that he is “the way, the truth, and the life,” and no one can come to the Father except through Him. I John 5:11-13 says that “…God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.”
HOW ABOUT YOU? How can you have a more personal relationship with a God who loves you unconditionally?
The bible speaks of satan as the destroyer of mankind and a religion that patterns it’s god and teachings in like manner exhibits the same attribute as the devil. When a ‘god’ instructs it’s followers to kill anyone that opposes the doctrine handed down to them, it says to me that there is a weakness in this faith because it come across as a fear of being threatened by anyone using their own mind to think and make choices from the heart.
The God of Abraham gave man a free will. Also He was the creator of life, not a destroyer of life.
For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44.
Thanks for your comment, Cora.
Loved this story. I was reading yesterday of Ishmael and knowing his connection to the Muslim world, I was struck by God’s promise to bless his descendants. When God met with Hagar, the Bible says to note that the well was between two specific points. As near as I could understand, those points were dedicated (potentially to idolatry) and hail (call). Your article evidences for me that call of God to the well…and that Ishmael’s descendants are hearing and responding. Hallelujah!
I have never understood this connection, but I am glad my article helped you.