Richard Hollerman

We know that the world is around us and is watching. They are aware of our doings and are mindful of our words. And surely they would want to know if there are true believers in our midst. Otherwise, we are merely a “sounding gong” and “symbol” without substance!

We therefore look out at the world and ask whether there may be true believers among all of these people. With about nine billion people in the world, this is a relevant question. And we focus our attention on Islam and all that is like them. With perhaps 88 percent of Muslims belonging to the Sunni branch and 12% belonging to the Shia branch (especially in Iran and Lebanon), we have nearly two billion people belonging to this religion, the religion of Islam or the Muslims. This religion has its origins in Arabia, in 632 BC.

(We hesitate using “Muslim” for this term means “submission” and “Islam” means a religion that “submits.” In reality, Christianity (true Christianity) “submits” to God and these other religions do not. In fact, they are substitutes or counterfeits. Instead of “submitting” they are insubmissive.)

Recently, as we all know, some 1,000 terrorists invaded Israel and killed some 1,000 residents in the Kibbutz and elsewhere. We know that there have been multiple deaths on both sides of this conflict or war. Along with the deaths there have also been many thousands of Israelis and Muslims injured and taken captive. Many “Hostages” have been taken, and some put to death. The Bible calls this “kidnapping” and it is severe in the condemnation of this sin (see 1 Timothy 1:10).

We have read and heard of babies being put to death, their heads chopped off, the mothers being raped, and the offspring being torn from the mother’s bodies. We realize that this can’t be the result of civilized people. These are not “normal” people at all. No, it surely would be a barbaric act by deranged people. And it surely would show the evil of this religion. We conclude that Islam of the order of ISIS, is wicked beyond measure.

We don’t mean by this that the Jews are “lily white” in their demeanor and attitude. No, we know that all of these religionists are evil and deserve to be sent eternally to hell. But in light of the atrocities that this terrorist organization has committed in the past few days and the murder, killing, and mayhem that they have committed, this is fresh on our mind at present.

It has been made clear to us in all of this that the Christian views things much differently than this. We love, care for, bless, and want God’s grace to rest upon our enemies. The world may want the enemy to be slain, killed, and “pay for their wrongdoing,” but we (as Christians) view things differently. Read Matthew 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-28; Romans 12:17-19; 13:1-7; 1 Peter 5:15; and others.

In light of the present atrocities of this false religion, we want God to bless and bring His forgiveness to bear upon them. Whether it be the Isis-like cult of which we are dealing, or any other one, we want God to bless them and lead them to Jesus Christ for His forgiveness. There is no other way. We know that the world cannot understand this but it is the way of Jesus. And His way is the only way!