It is a fact that Christians do not always act in a benevolent manner. It is, however, inevitable for a Christian, who is truly consecrated and dedicated to God (the God of the Bible, who is love) to become more loving and benevolent in his behaviour. In Islam, it works the other way around. The more devoted a Muslim is to Allah, the more aggressive and violent he becomes, because Allah expects that of him.

It is a known fact that Christians are sometime persecuted, tortured or killed in Muslim countries, because of their faith in Jesus Christ. It is relatively safe for foreign Christians to these countries, as long as they do not try to evangelize (convert) people. Citizens of these countries who convert to Christianity are in grave danger. If Muslims deny these facts, it will be an acknowledgement that the commands of the Quran and Hadith are not followed, or it must be a lie, which under certain circumstances, is not a sin in Islam.

Christians are tried and executed, or sometimes just murdered for ‘defection from Islam’. These acts are usually kept secret for the sake of Islam’s public image. In the cases of high profile Christians, where there is international interest, the facts are denied, their murdered bodies later discovered, and nothing is ever said about it again.

One such example was Mehdi Dibai, an Iranian Christian leader, who was imprisoned for more than nine years because of his Christian faith. In 1993 he was found guilty of apostasy (from Islam) and sentenced to execution. International outcry led to a denial of these facts and he was unexpectedly released in January 1994. Three days later Iranian Bishop Haik Hovsepian-Mehr, who had campaigned vigorously for the release of Mehdi Dibai, mysteriously disappeared. Government officials contacted his family 11 days later to identify his dead body by a photograph. According to the officials, his body was discovered with stab wounds to the chest. Five months later, Dibai’s dead body was found in a forest with rope marks around his neck (Estabrooks, 1996:54-56). Missionaries in Islamic countries report thousands of similar cases, where Christians are persecuted, tortured and killed on a regular basis, for the ‘crime’ of being a Christian.

In all Western, predominantly ‘Christian’ countries, there is freedom of religion and Muslims can freely and without any restrictions practice their religion. Muslims use this freedom to strive for (fight for) ‘peace’ where everyone will be subjects of Allah.

If Islam means 'peace', peace is only for those inside Islam. If you are not a Muslim, you have problems. If you do not accept Islam, you are seen as an aggressor against whom Islam has the right to wage Jihad. Peace must be maintained by violence, as have been illustrated. Islam strives for peace with other religions. The moment these people accept Islam there will be peace; otherwise they will keep on striving for peace by way of Jihad.

These facts can easily stir up thoughts of hate, resentment, and rage. In the minds of non-Muslims, there is sufficient reason to feel threatened. Should this be the result of this book, then it has completely missed its purpose. A Christian is not allowed to hate anyone, but must love everyone, including his enemy. This will be a test for anyone who claims to be a Christian. It will not be easy, because emotions of hate, rage, and resentment come naturally to anyone who feels threatened and who is trying to control his own life. Only those Christians who are completely consecrated to God and are led by the Holy Spirit (under His control) will be able to act benevolently (lovingly) towards all people regardless of their actions.

The Christian must trust God for wisdom to react in every situation to the honour of God and to the benefit of his neighbour, including his enemy. The reader should bear in mind that stern action could be beneficial. One can only think of a child who needs discipline. It must, however, always be done in love and to the benefit of the person or group acted against.

Where the New Testament clearly commands the individual to turn the other cheek and not be involved in any violence, it is the government’s responsibility and obligation to maintain law and order to the benefit of its citizens.

“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good” (1 Peter 2:13, 14 NKJ)

May God give them the wisdom they need to carry out this task.

The answer does not lie in strife and dissension but in prayer and trust in God.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NKJ)

If any Muslim reads this book, in spite of things that he/she may find offensive, it is my prayer that he/she will be open to the truth of God. If he/she does not allow hatred in his/her heart and sincerely searches for truth, God will enlighten his/her heart to see and acknowledge the truth. The price for a Muslim, who comes to faith in Christ, is high, because of severe persecution. Christians do not always realise that although redemption through Jesus is a free gift that is obtained by faith alone, the price of discipleship of Jesus is just as high. Man must die to self. Please read Luke 9:23 again and ask the Lord to help you to understand the true meaning of it:

“If anyone desires to come after Me (wants to be My disciple), let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”