God is at work revealing Himself to Muslims. We need to follow Jesus’ example by having compassion for others.
Crescent Project founder Fouad Masri helps us build bridges to meaningful dialogue on faith with Muslims through compassion and initiative.
Fouad explains how compassion highlights the difference between the role of the government and the church:
“Have compassion. What you see on television is a reality and we’re not asking people to put their heads in the sand….Islamic terrorism is a problem and the government needs to take care of that. But that is the role of the government. The role of the government is to create a society that’s fair, equal and peaceful; that’s their role.”
“The role of the church is reform government, to follow the words of Jesus. However, we do not wait for the government to tell us what to do; Jesus already told us, ‘Go and make disciples.’ Jesus already told us, ‘I have come that they might have a life.’ Jesus already told us, ‘Whatever I told you a secret, shout from the rooftops.’”
In addition to having compassion for others, as believers, we need to take the initiative. Fouad explains situations where Jesus took the initiative in Matthew 9:9, John 4:7 and John 9:9.
“Matthew was a chief tax collector sitting there doing the taxes, and Jesus passes and says, ‘Follow me.’ He went to the Samaritan woman and he said, ‘Give me a drink.’ Christ took the initiative.”
“There was a Jewish beggar that was born blind and Jesus heals him. Then the whole commotion where the Pharisees asked, ‘Don’t you know this man is not from God?’ And he says, ‘Well I don’t know if he’s from God or not but I was blind and now I see.’ Towards the end of the chapter it says that Jesus saw this man and said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of the Living God?’ And the blind man came to him and asked, ‘Sir, who is he? And Jesus says, ‘I am He.’ And he said, ‘I believe.’
“The beautiful thing is Christ did not leave the conversation without taking the initiative and telling this person, ‘I am the Messiah, Son of the living God, the Son of Man, the promised, redeemer.'”
By having compassion for others and taking the initiative, we will be able to reach Muslims with Christ for the Glory of God.
“Whether you’re a businessman, a truck driver, a teacher, a bus driver, a doctor or nurse, you have a bigger business than that…your business is to spread the kingdom of God.”
