In Islam, it was told that the angel Gabriel came and spoke to Muhammed producing the Koran, which Muhammed called the Standing Miracle. To be saved, Muslims live by following the Koran. The principles or rules that regulate the private life of Muslims in their dealings with God coincide and surround the Five Pillars of Islam. The first of the Five Pillars is Islam's creed, or confession of faith is known as Shahada. The second pillar of Islam is the canonical prayer, in which the Koran adjures the faithful to "be constant." The third pillar of Islam is charity. The fourth pillar of Islam is the observance of Ramadan, Islam's holy month. As the Muslim calender is lunar, Ramadan rotates around the year. Islam requires fasting to teach self-discipline. "Only those who have been hungry can know what hunger mean." Smith, Huston Pg.247 "one who can endure its demands will have less difficulty controlling the demand of appetites at other times. Islam's fifth pillar is pilgrimage. Once in a Muslim's lifetime every Muslim is expected to journey to Mecca, where God's climactic revelation was first disclosed.
In Judaism, Halakha is the pathway. The Jewish view of the world is rooted in the Lord's original blessing with Abraham in the Old Testament. Jews are a people whose central concerns of God are justice and compassion. Jews also celebrate Rosh haShanah, the anniversary of Creation, and Yom Kippur, celebrating forgiveness and Atonement. Judaism believes that following the Ten Commandments is just the minimal standard to make the collective life possible. There are also different Judaism's practiced: Biblical, Prophetic, Temple, and Rabbinic. In the Rabbinic different texts are looked at such as the Pirke Avot, Mishnah, Gemara, and the Talmud - teachings and commentary on rabbinic ethical teachings. Judaism believes Jesus was merely a prophet and not necessarily the Messiah they were looking for.
In Christianity, the human condition is the way we are as human beings: prideful, arrogant, lazy, ignorant, slothful, and selfish. What is the solution to this condition? When Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan and disobeyed God, partaking of the tree of knowledge, they were able to see the separation that caused them shame apart from God. Because of one man's disobedience, we as humans are now born into a fallen world. You see the brokenness all around us: Pain, separation, anxiety, disease, and tears. God spoke the world into existence, gave us the Old Testament, and then decided to send down himself as Jesus - fully God, fully human, to get down to our level. We are with limitations but God is not. God chose to meet us here on earth and befriend sinners and show them the way. Jesus said he was the way, the truth, and the life. Whoever knows me, knows my father (God). I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. (John 12:47). Jesus was beaten, bruised, persecuted, and nailed on the cross in complete humility knowing he had to die to fulfill the law for everyones sake. Only his blood could wash away the sin we were born into. Why did he choose to do it? Love. No greater love than to lay down ones life for ones friends (John 15:13). We are sick, we need a healer. Jesus is the Healer, He is the Messiah the Jews hoped for and set aside running in disbelief. He resurrected in three days to bring forth his power and Life to everyone. Come to me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28). How do we move from problem to solution? Faith. But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have Life in his name. (John 20:31). How best to live the solution in our own lives? (Ephesians 6:10-18) A final word, be strong in the Lord and his mighty power, put on all of God's armor so you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil, for we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places; therefore put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil, then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground putting on the belt of truth, and the body armor of God's righteousness, for shoes put on the peace that comes from the good news so you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet and take the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit in all times and in every occasion, stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for the believers everywhere.
God is God. He is the beginning and end to it all. He is the Creator of the universe and he sent himself as Jesus in the form of perfection to die and take our place of death upon the cross which was deserved from Adam's disobedience when Eve was deceived. He so loved the world, he gave up his only Son. God is Love. He set things up the way they are to reveal himself and his Glory. He wants to be chosen because he chose everyone upon the cross.
Islam had Muhammed as the founder and does now have the Koran as text to be followed for salvation. Judaism had Moses, original blessing, and the ten commandments to follow. Christianity has Jesus who gave his blood to wash away our brokenness, heal our disease, and the free gift of salvation. We don't deserve it and cannot do anything to earn it but He wants us that much, he give up his only begotten son to adopt us into his majesty. His death and resurrection was the only way for us to have eternal life with him, to have real relationship with him, to see who he is, who we are, and why he did what he did on the cross for all to see. thank you Father. Experience that the lord is good, taste and see for yourself. He has done a wonder in my life personally, healed me from addiction, pain, abuse, and anger. I have only known the Lord for 2 almost 3 years now and it has been a process learning and growing with him in prayer and study time with him in his word. I've learned much about who I am, who he is, and why he has me here on this earth. I challenge and invite all readers to ask the Lord to reveal himself to you, to ask him if he says who he says he is then show you his trues apart from lies. Knock and the door will be answered, seek and you will find, ask and it will be given to you. We are all looking for Truth, and I'm only a witness to Him who has found me and has called me his own to tell you that Jesus is the truth not just for me or your neighbor but for all. And He died for all, that those who live will no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:15.)
No comments:
Post a Comment