external labels, we invite all people, including Muslims, to an inward change
through Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17–20; John 3:3–7; Ezekiel 36:26–27).
7. We rejoice that when the Gospel brings inward change to believers who
embrace it, they then bring positive transformation to the communities
where they live.
8. As followers of Jesus, we are motivated to do good deeds. In this way, we
imitate Jesus, honor God, and seek to heal a hurting world (Matthew 5:16;
Acts 10:38; Titus 2:7, 14; 3:14).
9. For us, all of life is devoted to Jesus. Therefore, wherever we live and
whatever our occupation, our work is witness, and we witness at work
(Colossians 3:17, 23; 1 Corinthians 10:31).
10. Jesus and the Good News about him are so precious to us that we are willing to sacrifice and suffer in order to give people an opportunity to know
the Good News about him (Philippians 1:29; Acts 5:41).
Add to this the words of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; this
right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either
alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his
religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.” (You can read
the full declaration here.) For all of these reasons, OMS is committed to sharing
respectfully and with loving sensitivity the Good News of Jesus Christ with all
peoples, inviting them to follow him.
These statements became reality for me after the brutal slaying of a young
Christian medical professional on mission in a Muslim country. A radio station
asked me to participate in an on-air conversation with an imam. With great intensity,
he expressed that Christians had no one to blame but themselves for this death
as it was inappropriate for Christians to convert Muslims.
With God’s help, I shared why followers of Christ
love Muslims enough to share with them the
life-transforming truth of Jesus Christ. Several of the 10 points above, along with the
Interested in
statement from the UN’s Declaration,
living out these 10
were put forward. I concluded by tellpoints in ministry with
ing this imam that because of Christ, I
One Mission Society?
loved him and forgave him and those
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he represented … and that a deep,
Write to our
passionate longing of my heart was
Mobilization team at:
that all people would have the [email protected]
tunity to know and follow Jesus. Even
to get started.
in the face of risks, rejection, and suffering, may this passion never waiver in our
hearts.
Bob Fetherlin
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