Convert from Islam to Christianity

The Question

The other day I received a message from a young man.   He did not say where from – Pakistan maybe.   He said:

I want to convert my religion (currently I am Muslim) but know I want to convert in Christian.  So please help me how can I do.

 

My Answer

Dear M

Thank you for your interesting question. You would think I would be delighted that you want to change your religion. In fact I am not! Why?

Because I want you to get to know Jesus yourself, and find Him to be your own personal Saviour.

That is not a matter of religion.

You are, no doubt a good Muslim. From that I mean that you obey the Koran, you do what your Imams and Mullahs tell you. And they tell you that if you obey you will go to heaven when you die.

If you convert to Christianity as another religion you will want to be a good Christian. From that I mean that you obey the ten commandments, you do what your priests and bishops tell you. And they tell you that if you obey you will go to heaven when you die.

What’s the difference? It is just one religion for another – and you will be very disappointed – disillusioned even.

So what is it then?

Religion is based on fear. True Christianity is based on love. – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear (The Bible: John’s first letter – chapter 4, verse 18)

The Bible tells us: (I hope you have one – if not give me your address and I will send one). Read Paul’s letter to the Romans where he works out the whole matter of why we need salvation. It says in Romans chapter 5

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

This means that we believe God – that is faith –  we are justified before God – so God does not look on what sins or good deeds that we have done – however many or few they might be – because He does not accept us on that basis.  Our good deeds cannot save – the prophet Isaiah described them as filthy rags (See Isaiah chapter 64 verse 6).  The wages of sin is death. (See Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 6 verse 23)  Jesus (who is also called Emmanuel – God with us – Yes, God become Man) died for our sins – He paid the penalty for us – so that we might live. God therefore sees us on the basis of what Jesus has done and what Jesus is – not what we have done and what we are. Indeed justification means that God sees me as if I had done nothing wrong at all.

Let me tell you a story. I used to have business dealings with a very rich, but devout Muslim gentleman. He had given a lot of money to charity. One day he said to me – “I hope God accepts me for what I’ve done’ My reply was, ‘My dear friend, I know that God has already accepted me because of what Jesus has done.” – you see the difference.

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

– God’s grace – God coming to us in love and blessing us when we had no right even for forgiveness ourselves. It is all from God’s side.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience;

– God didn’t promise us an easy path

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

– But there’s hope.

5 And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us

– God even dwells in the Christian because the Holy Spirit is God. This may be difficult for a Muslim (rightly taught that there is only one God) to understand, but we know God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit – three Persons – one God. Just accept this by faith. That is how God has revealed Himself.

6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

– Jesus came here and died so that we might not. Either Jesus will come, or we will fall asleep in Jesus.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet perhaps for a good man some would even dare to die.

8 But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

– You cannot say that of Mohammed.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

– Nothing to fear.

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

– God loves His enemies – He gave Jesus to save them. That is why Christians are taught to love their enemies and do good to those who hate them (See Matthew chapter 5).

11 And not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the reconciliation.

– Reconciliation. Religions try to bridge the gap between God and man. Christianity does not bridge the gap – it removes it. That is what is meant by reconciliation.

God has come to us in Jesus.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John’s gospel – chapter 3 verse 16.

 

I hope that I have answered some of your questions. You may have more, please write.

But I cannot do anything myself. Yes, I will pray for you. But you must turn to God yourself. Tell Him that you need a Saviour, and He will tell you – ‘You can have a Saviour – that is Jesus’

May you get to know Jesus personally, my dear friend.

Yours in affection
Sosthenes