How are you thinking about everything that is going on currently in our world? Is your thinking formed by your political commitments and your news channel of choice or is your thinking formed by your theology? It is imperative as followers of Jesus that our thinking is first and foremost formed by the Word of God and our spiritual conversations with others within the Body of Christ. In light of everything going on in our world , especially in the Middle East, I want to give you four things to think about and discuss with friends related to ISIS, Islam and Israel.  I then have listed 10 biblical principles that will help guide us to be salt and light in this warring world.

As Christ-followers we have a biblical imperative to pray and support Israel, this does not mean supporting all political positions of Israel (Genesis 12:3; Romans 11)

I know this is a politically charged issue, however, the Bible is very clear on this issue that followers of Jesus are to respect and show mercy to Israel. This does not mean supporting all political views and decisions that Israel makes. Israel is the longest lasting nation in the world and every nation that has gone against it has eventually fallen. God still has a plan for Israel.

ISIS holds to a form of Islam that is supported by Mohammad and the Koran

Regardless of all the chatter that ISIS does not hold to Islam, this statement has no foundation. ISIS is trying to do exactly what their prophet did and what he wrote in the Koran.

“The teaching of Jesus is clear. No one ought to be compelled to become a Christian. This sets the Christian faith drastically apart from Islam. In no country in the world that I know of where the renunciation of one’s Christian faith puts one in danger of being hunted down by the powers of the state. Yet, there are numerous Islamic countries where it is against the law to publicly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, and where a Muslim who renounces his or her belief in Islam to believe in anything else risks death. Freedom to critique the text of the Koran and the person of Mohammad are prohibited by the laws of blasphemy, and the result is torturous punishment. One must respect the concern of a culture to protect what it deems sacred, but to compel a belief in Jesus Christ is foreign to the gospel, and that is a vital difference.” (Jesus Among other gods; Ravi Zacharius; p.159)

However, one can interpret it; the sword and warfare are an intrinsic part of the Islamic faith. Mohammad had many executions carried out as well as led many battles.

Surah 9;5 called the ayatus-saif; clearly shows Mohammad giving instructions to kill.

“But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor due, then leave their way free.”

For Islam to reform, they are going to have to take a hard honest look at Mohammad’s life

No one is willing to discuss the life of Mohammad, Islam’s main prophet, for the reason listed above. But it does no good for the Islamic apologists to just say that there are different interpretations of Islam when history clearly records how Mohammad lived.

There is no moral or religious equivalency between what Christians did in the Crusades and slavery with what ISIS is doing today

Many have tried to show  moral equivalency between what ISIS is now doing and what Christians did in the Crusades or during the time of slavery. The Muslims who are taking part in Jihad have clear support in the Koran and in the life that their prophet lived. Christians involved in the Crusades were clearly not obeying Christ’s clear command and example to love your enemies. Some might bring up the God sanctioned battles in the OT. But we must see that Jesus fulfilled the OT Law and calls His followers to love their enemies.

Ten Biblical Principles that will help us be salt and light in this warring world:

1.) Our hope is not in this world, therefore nothing in this world, even death, can steal our hope (Romans 5:1-5; 1 Cor 15:19; Eph 1:12)

2.) Seek first the kingdom of God, not the Kingdom of this world (Matthew 6:33; 1 John 2:15-17)

3.) Embrace and identify with Christ’s righteousness in the midst of worldly pressure (Matthew 5:10; 10:32-33)

4.) Do not take personal revenge – let God be the judge (Matthew 5:38-42)

5.) Love your enemies and pray that God blesses them (Matthew 5:43-48)

6.) Be a peacemaker not a pacifist and be ready to protect your family and others if needed (Matthew 5:9; 26:47-55; Luke 22:36-38, 47-51; John 18:10)

7.) Pray for and be aware of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted and martyred (2 Corinthians 1:8-11; 1 Peter 5:6-9)

8.) Pray and support those in the military and law enforcement who God has given charge to protect us (Romans 13:1-7)

9.) Grow in our willingness to lay down our life that others may come to know Jesus – even our enemies? (Matthew 5:43-48, Hebrews 11:35)

10.) Being salt and light is completely dependent upon the fire of the Gospel of Jesus growing in our heart (Matthew 6:9-10)

I pray that you will take some time to deeply search the Word of God on these issues and dialogue deeply with others and go to the Lord in prayer.