UI – Part 212 – Muslims – More Than Conquerors

“And we know that is all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)

Conquerors

The Muslims, from the day after Muhammad’s death (632) have become imperialists for their ideology.  They immediately traveled west and east with practiced marauders, accustomed to the spoils of their exploits against caravans traveling the middle-east.  The early Caliphs were military men who fought for Muhammad and enjoyed the rewards possible when they succeeded in battle.  When he died they saw the opportunity to utilize their forces for greater gains.  When they did achieve victory, easy or difficult,  they claimed Allah was with them and Allah was to be the god of the land taken and the people living therein.  Thus they viewed themselves as More than Conquerors, but as men of Allah.

Your Future

To understand the Saving Grace of the Lord is to know your future.  The Bible documents history and provides the before and after of God’s Covenants with mankind.  I find interesting the term ‘predestined’.  “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…” (Rom 8:29)  Certainly God foreknew all mankind.  He created us in His image.  Thus he saw in the humans in which he breathed life the image of his Son, the incarnate who came to earth to live among us so we can know God.

From the Quran: Sura 74:56 states, “And they (humans) will not mind unless Allah please” would suggest predestination.   Another (Sura 76:29-31) offers some insight, (29) “Whoever will, let him take a way to his Lord.”  This says to me that it is the will of man – ‘whoever will’. (30) “And you will not unless Allah please.”  This leaves it to Allah.  Man’s choice has no effect.  It is up to Allah – and that goes to whether you are good or bad.  (31) “He (Allah) admits whom he pleases to His mercy“.  So can humans, Muslims, be deceived by Allah? The Quran makes it clear Allah’s plans are the best, whether he is for or against you (Sura 8:30).  But for assurance the Muslim is told to reference the ‘Reminder’, which interpreted can be the Quran or the Bible.

Mankind and God

From the Bible mankind is glorified by God.  We all share in the glory of Christ Jesus’ accomplishment, whether or not you believe in Christ. He is the only perfect person to have lived.  God calls us all to Him, but do all of us have the heart and soul to hear or to be like him?  We are justified, as Disciples of Christ, believing in God’s sacrifice.  If you understand and welcome the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins, then you have Christ in you.  Righteousness is yours.

If a Muslim is in doubt he is called to reference prior generation’s revelations, (Sura 15:43) “And We sent not before thee any but men to whom We sent revelations – so ask the followers of the Reminder if you know not –.“  Subject to interpretation but clearly wise men, prophets of Biblical history, Jews and Christians that walked hundreds of years, thousands, prior to Muhammad, are the men referenced.   To add emphasis to what I have said, Sura 10:94 reads, “But if thou art in doubt as to that which We have revealed to thee, ask those who read the Book (the Bible) before thee.  Certainly the Truth has come to thee from thy Lord, so be not thou of the doubters.”

Terrarium Earth

Earth is an ontological terrarium.  It was designed, God’s creation, for the existence of humans.  Its precise relationships to planets, temperature, chemical elements in the air, and so much more make it possible for life.  The slightest miss-calculation and there would be no one living on planet earth.  God provided for the needs of all humans with an earthly existence.  God also has provided, through the glory of his Son, for all humans to live eternally with him.  Adam’s sin in the Garden caused men to die physically.  We have physical, spiritual, and eternal life.  We have a choice.  Jesus was the new Adam, making it possible for humans to be right with God anew, the punishment for sin inherent in us all meted out, physical death overcome, a spiritual life restored, and an eternal life for mankind, those who believe, established.

Children of Christ – All

We are predestined, called, justified and glorified as children of Christ.  We can choose God, and an eternal life.  God waits, loving us all until the day we die, his sacrifice made known for all to understand and embrace.  Embrace Christ, embrace God, and embrace your future in heaven.  Christ is the visible expression of an invisible God.

“If God is for us, who can be against us.” (Rom 8:31)

We can be more than conquerors. Nothing can separate us from the love of God; except ourselves.  “…we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Rom 8:37).

So wherever the Caliphs found weak and unprepared foe they made their claim justified by Allah.  Yet it was the God of Truth they neglected, or never knew.   It gave them comfort that they could be beneficiaries of their exploits without seeming to be ungodly raiders.   They, however, were reducing the Children of Christ, to captives for Allah.  They could continue as commanders of the people they oppressed telling them Allah was now their god.  It gave them comfort.  They overlaid their vengeance and demonic habits while carrying the banner of Allah with a blanket of false hope.  It is apropos that the banner is black.

Awaken

When will we all awake to what terrorism in the name of Allah really suggests?  It is not the right path.  We must be conquerors of our own thoughts to choose not according to the Caliph’s insistence, or that of today’s ulema or Muslim commanders, but according to our right thinking.  Our answers will open the doors to His eternal kingdom with the elements of containment  and resistance lifted to allow the rain of truth to fall.

July 4                   

Freedom is to be celebrated in American tomorrow.  Let us all focus on the meaning of being free.  We can and must choose according to the knowledge and wisdom we obtain.  Repression is a clue that what we are being prevented from knowing, seeing, doing, hearing or reading is adverse to the policies of those who prefer we remain under the control of others.  Be thankful we are in America.  In the Middle-East it is a common practice, as well in the madrassas and Mosques, to disallow freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of conscious, and freedom of religion.  This is an ungodly practice.   Propoganda of any sort can lead weak minded or dependent and contained people to follow a path that suggests they will be cared for.  Beware the bearer of free stuff.  They may be destined for Hell.

God awaits, his love unrequited, the door to his kingdom open, ready to welcome you, the sinner, the one who denies his Grace and Mercy, home.  Come home to the Father.  He will throw a party for you.  It will be more glorious than the most extravagant 4th of July celebration!

Blessings. Embrace Freedom, Independence!

Grace and Peace