Friday, July 29, 2016What does Islam mean? In Arabic, the word applies to a soldier who gives up. The verb means “to surrender.” Hence, Islam, as a religion, means surrendering to God; and a Muslim is someone who has surrendered his life to practice the religion of Islam. Islam was started by Muhammad in AD 610 and is based on the Quran and the Hadith. The Quran is comprised of one volume that contains the revelations Muhammad reportedly received. The Hadith is comprised of several volumes that contain stories about Muhammad and what he did and said. There are two major groups in Islam: Sunnis (roughly 90% of the followers), and Shias (roughly 10%). Add to that a large number of sects and sub-sects. All of them believe in Muhammad, all believe in the Quran. The differences are historical and political more than doctrinal. Father in heaven, from one man you created all the nations throughout the whole earth. You purposed that they would seek after you, in the hope that they might find you, though indeed you are not far from each one of us (Acts 17:26-27). And in spite of our waywardness, you love us all. When I hear or read the word Islam, help me remember it is a system that appears so near, while it is actually so far from the Kingdom of God. It seems close to Christianity, but it is far from Christ! Whenever I see or hear of a Muslim, please help me see him as a precious soul for whom Jesus died, a person whom God loves and wants to bring to his Kingdom. Help me be an intercessor who brings Muslims to your attention. Remember them in your mercy and grace. Help them repent and confess Christ as their only Lord and Savior. Fill them with the Holy Spirit to be your witnesses to others. Blessed are you, our only Sovereign, King of kings and Lord of lords, immortal, invisible. To you be honor and power and glory and majesty. Amen. “I will search for the lost, bring back those that strayed away, put bandages on those that were hurt, and make the weak strong….” “The Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost” (Ezekiel 34:16, NCV; Luke 19:10). Samuel Zwemer, paraphrased.