GlocalNet

As a pastor of a church and thinking of religious freedom this fourth of July and our religious freedom, I watched on the evening news recently about a town gathering to prevent a mosque from being built in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  The comments I heard were numerous and familiar.  “We were built upon the Christian values and religion and Christian principles, not Islam.”  “We don’t need mosque from over there coming here.”  “Muslims bring terrorism and we don’t want it here.”  “We are a Christian nation!” 

There are some debatable things in all those statements – but as an evangelical who believes Jesus really is who he said he was, “The way, the truth, and the life” and wants to see the Great Commission fulfilled – which is for us as Christians to make sure everyone gets to hear the message of Jesus, I welcome the mosque, the synagogue, the temple, and all religions to America.  I just don’t welcome them – I think it’s fantastic!  Keep coming everybody!  I believe this is a God “thing” and a God “moment” if we will just see it for what it is.  It’s good for Christians, and all religions.

Why would I make such a statement?  It’s really not hard to understand, if as an evangelical I really believe what I say I believe.  Those of you that are Atheist, Animist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist – that are my friends – and there are many of you and growing – you know I love you and believe as a evangelical Christian Jesus is God and wants to forgive everyone’s sin and take them to heaven.  We just have done a poor job of communicating and loving you.  Furthermore, we are brothers in humanity.  And to my Muslim friends who ceaselessly and lovingly try to convert me – some of these same points apply to you as well. 

First, he is God and he is sovereign and in control.  Regardless of where people migrate to on the globe be it here in the US or other places – God is in control.  I grew up singing a hymn, “This is my Father’s World.”  I believe that.  Jesus is not panicking because people of different religions are moving all over the world.  He is in control.  According to the story of Moses and the deliverance of the Israelites, according to the story of Joseph, according to the story of Job, and we could go on, and on, and on . . . . anything that some would view as evil God uses it for good.  I’m not God, I don’t know all that he is doing, but I believe he knows what he’s doing and he is in control. 

Second, I believe in the logic and reason of my faith.  I believe my faith can stand head to head with any religion.  Isolation and keeping people ignorant of other faiths is not a way to see my faith grow both in my heart, mind and with other people.  When you believe you have incredible logic and reason to sustain your viewpoint – you don’t fear having conversation with others.  We now live in a global world where every religion is evey where.

Third, a lot of people say – why should we let a mosque be here when they won’t let a church be there?  Not all Islamic countries are like that – yes some are.  BUT, I think we’re better than that.  America didn’t build herself by small, narrow, childish thinking and living.  Small minded regimes and people who believe their faith is so weak they can’t allow other religions in their country, or religions that in order to keep people in “the faith” they have to hide “other faiths” do their faith a great disservice.  They make their faith appear incredibly weak and vulnerable – maybe they are.  In this new world we live in, no one has the luxury of being ignorant of other faiths. 

Fourth, I believe the Holy Spirit is guiding and directing both believers and non-believers alike.  If I live in the fullness of the Spirit, and if we as followers of Jesus are filled on a daily basis and the power of the Spirit is released within us, then we are able to be witnesses of who Jesus is to our neighbors, work associates, and others – and that means more than just “unchurched” white Americans.

Fifth, this gives every American follower of Jesus an opportunity to be a part of telling the good news of Jesus and being a “missionary” right at home.  What does a good missionary do?  First, they love the people with all their hearts they want to tell the good news to.  Second, they learn and understand them and build relationships with them.  Third, they serve the people they care about to let them know they love them, whether they ever become a Jesus follower or not.  A good missionary never forces, coerces, intimidates, manipulates, brides, or disrespects another religion or person for the sake of getting a “convert” – they love them, build relationships with them, become their friends – even if the person decides to reject our view of Jesus Christ. 

Sixth, it can save Christians so much money!  As people come from other nations, they can here the Good news of Jesus here, and not cause us to spend so much money going there.  Furthermore, those who discover Jesus here, will be far more effective going back there than we are who often unintentionally offend or violate various cultural and religious taboos. 

Seventh, God is orchestrating things for the Great Commission to be fulfilled.  I get excited because if Jesus is who we as Christians believe he is based on what he said, and if he wants the whole world to know, he is bringing them here and spreading all of us out among the other faiths in order for our message to be disseminated in ways like never before in the history of humanity.  Love them Muslims Murfreesboro!!!!!  God thought enough of you to put them right in the middle of you – let the message of your faith be love and service, not fear and hate and rejection.  And if you get some nutcases, and you will, just like we do in Christianity – we have the FBI! 

Think about it – we all know as Jesus followers we will give an account of all that we did in this life and how hard we tried to show his love.  You know the story Murfreesboro – “I was hungry, thirsty, naked, in prison,  – and you were there”  Where was he?  In the least of those people saw.  So if God is sovereign, Jesus wants everybody to hear, and the Holy Spirit convicts us of our need – what if God placed that mosque right there – but instead we were fighting against God.  What picture of Jesus are you giving that Muslim by your actions?