A Real and Deep Relationship, Unless You’re…
Unless your Muslim.
The Dove World Outreach Center’s website says, “God loves you and he longs for a real and deep relationship with you.” That’s nice. And I believe it’s true. But I don’t think that Dove World Outreach Center does.
In all fairness, I didn’t contact them before I posted this. Perhaps I should have, but I honestly don’t think they would have the time to answer my questions since I’m sure they are being bombarded by the major news outlets. They are making headlines on drudgereport.com after all. That’s no easy feat. Above the fold space is limited and he’s had 8.7 billion visits in the last year.
Why doesn’t Dove World Outreach Center believe that God wants a real and deep relationship with you? Because they put a caveat on who God would want a deep relationship with. The thing is, God loved his Created first. FIRST. In order to be a Christian, you must believe that Jesus is God. Don’t get side tracked and read into what I just wrote. I’m not talking about the afterlife. I’m not talking about who has a doctrinal system nailed down and thus has God figured out correctly. No, I’m not talking about who has it right. I’m talking about what it means to be labeled Christian. And as a Christian, it’s implied as we dig a little deeper that we’ve been given some mandates. Not the least of which comes from Jesus himself. He says, “Follow Me.” He didn’t say, “Protest on my behalf.” Or, “Blessed are those that offend, for they shall inherit the earth.” Or, “Shock the world for My sake.”
Love. When you love someone you want to understand them. Did you know that the way Christians hold dear Jesus Christ is the same way that orthodox Muslims hold dear the Qur’an? Christians, how would you respond to anyone burning Christ in effigy? When was the last time that you so dearly revered the Bible that you reverently washed your hands and feet before even touching it. We don’t hold the Bible in veneration the same way as Muslims view the Qur’an. It’s difficult to understand, but the closest we can get is that they see their holy book the same way we see the Father’s Son. Desecrating the Qur’an is simply unthinkable.
But, someone says, “look at the violence they’re threatening to respond with!” Fine, let’s look. But first, let’s follow Christ. Something was said about a spec, eyes and a plank. The plank is in my eye. It must be dealt with first. (Remember: “Follow Me.”) Why in the world would we even consider doing something considered so offensive? How is that loving our neighbor? How is that loving them as we love ourselves? Isn’t that the commandment that’s “like unto the greatest?” Love the Lord your God.
This story makes me very sad. I’m sad that I share the same label as the Dove World Outreach Center. But I’m not going to give it up. I believe what I believe, and that makes me a Christian by definition. This just gives us a lot more work to do.
We Christians have our mandate.
