Thoughts from Pastor Wes
"Not the Same"
Bill has never had any children. He knows and declares that he has not had a son--in fact he is adamant about it. John, on the other hand, does have a son, knows it and is very pleased with his son and the fellowship they have together.
So is it possible that Bill and John are the same person? Perhaps one person with these two given names?
No. The facts of their life are so different that we cannot say they are the same person. Either they have a son or they do not, and having a son is a irrefutable point of distinguishing between the two.
Many people speak as if the God of the Bible and the Muslim deity are the same person. Allah cannot be the same god as the God of the Bible, though many people--even "Christians" try to equate them.
Muslims vehemently deny that Allah had a son. Christians strongly affirm the truth of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
Muslims do not speak of Allah as their heavenly father, but Jesus taught His followers to pray, "Our Father...."
Allah does not invite Muslims into a personal relationship and the Bible does not teach that every aspect of creation is determined by God.
These are some of the incontrovertible differences between the God of Judeo-Christian faith and the being that Muslims worship.
As Christians, we want to be peacemakers, to get along with everyone we can. But the reality growing closer to our communities is that we are well along into a clash of civilizations. What we saw this past week in Paris, Yemen, Nigeria and Pakistan does not accord with the principles of accommodation, tolerance and goodwill which have influenced our national pilgrimage.
There are many who believe that the world would be better if people just gave up their deeply held beliefs and succumbed to the thought of the day--or the more powerful force.
This is not new.
The fundamental truth remains, Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth and life." No one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ.
Sadly, that belief is costing many their lives. Without that, it costs us our souls.
Lord, Let us be Your light and love in days of persecution and trial.
