Islam Will Have Its Moment to try Conversion - But In the Eternal Realm, it is Only a Moment

Submitted by M. Tovey (United States), Apr 4, 2011 at 14:15

I am really quite sorry to have missed this when you first wrote it. While it is actually part of an exchange that purports to address a different tact, it does have a couple of points that seem to demonstrate a close perspective to your world view. Permit me to interject.

First, let there be an understanding that I have no agenda to convert you, or any other person who does not have the same level of faith in Jesus Christ that I have. It is neither in my repertoire to provide the evidence that might be necessary to reason on that level (to the contrary, I have little in the way of a dossier to confirm your lineage let alone extrapolate the reasons your family had to be found in the United Kingdom when it is not native); nor do I have a mandate other than to witness the power of Jesus Christ in my life. Your choice in this matter is yours; and yours alone. The power of conversion is not mine, but the LORD's alone.

Next, in reading the several exchanges you have had in this forum, the one thing that does present itself is an intellect of varied influences; one that does seem intrigued by western culture (or else the motive for staying in a country that is still unsure of its Muslim influences has other enticements), yet potentially would see the opportunities afforded in that environment sacrificed for the supposed betterment of an Islamic Caliphate. I am likely wrong in that observation, but it is an appearance of such that presents itself.

I have no special knowledge of the Quran other than that written by so many others who have claimed to be its student; and some have lived up to the reputation. I cannot speak Arabic except to count to five and say thank you, though I am familiar with the alphabet and can read a few words. But what I have gleaned from those who have claimed that special knowledge and make every effort to persuade a change of mind about being a Muslim is that there is a mindset that all can be solved if a conversion to Islam is contemplated. In that you have alluded to an attempt "to convert the lot of you…to Islam," here is circumstance of why you will not be able to.

The current resurgence of Islam can be attributed to one thing, and one thing only. But first, ask the question: after several hundred years of being proposed as the replacement of Judaism and Christianity, why has that not yet been accomplished if 'allah has the power necessary to provide the desired conquest? In the loss of the Caliphate in Turkey, one of the more modern examples of Islam came under defeat for the lack of the power necessary to keep Turkey under its former Muslim influences. Attatürk pushed aside the Muslim influences for a generation because of his political aspirations, but Islam remained in the subliminal mind of its people, enough so that a couple of generations later, it resurfaces.

But it was not so with the Saud Kingdom. Islam there remained and became intense and as powerful as the new power structure made it. One wonders if in the story of the British Arabian Lawrence he could have discerned what he was a part of when considering the desert battles that gave the Saudi's that power. But it did set the beginning of the resurgence on a course, though by no means was that the only place one can examine to see how it would develop. And few at that time could really appreciate the catalyst that the rebirth of the Nation of Israel would be that fueled the ancient lifelong hatred between the sons of Isaac and Ishmael.

So what of the resurgence? Is there yet enough of a reason for all to consent to the submission to Islam and convert? Or is there a more compelling reason not to? What is your compelling reason to go against the heading the world is taking, to find no joy in a religion that permits inequities and inequalities and hateful requirement of submission to other men? The other aspect is of which sect to submit to: how does an Iraqi (just to name one place) find Islamic peace if he/she is Sunni in a Shiite environment? Which of these do you find your compelling argument for converting to Islam?

It is here then that I would lend my witness, that as mentioned before, I would not deprive you of your choice to remain Muslim (presuming on your indication of being so aligned with the Quran). In the alternative, none of the Muslims in their Islamic belief have produced enough evidence to counter the remonstrations of the Hebrew Holy Bible to those who have an abiding faith in Jesus Christ. In His mission of love for all and life, of grace and mercy extended to believers in Him who have heard the Gospel message and took it to heart, the believing Christian disciples have other and better promises of life in Jesus Christ. Born a nominal Christian, I could have claimed that was good enough, until the power of the Holy Spirit convicted me that it was not. Only in accepting the Truth of the Gospel, that Jesus Christ died and rose again to cleanse my unbelieving heart did I arrive to the place I need to be; and it is a place no one else can take from Jesus Christ.

But that is what Islam tries to do, trying to take away my peace. And to be sure, there are false teachers in Christianity that will do the same, teaching deceptions and hypocrisies; it is there that the teachers of Islam have their breach to assault the western mores. But in the final analysis, Truth in the real Jesus Christ remains as truth; and Islam will never be able to tell the difference between the Jesus Christ of the Holy Bible and the 'other' Jesus everyone else tries to use for false conversions. Once a person realizes the real difference (and only the Holy Spirit can make that discernment for each if us), therein lies the choice. Then the heart can be opened to the work of the Holy Spirit and then there is conversion.

But first, there has to be the choice.

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