A Muslim and the Christian Gospel
A Muslim from Pakistan contacted me and asked me some questions about Jesus. His English is a bit broken and I have left it as it is, but He was able to get his questions across quite well. I only hope my answers help Him to find Jesus. He began with a question. (Note: I did not add these scripture references later. They are part of the original text.)
Ahmed: How can be the father the producer of Jesus?
Matt: He's God. He can do it.
Ahmed: Not other production of him?
Matt: I do not understand your question?
Ahmed: It mean other live example of HIS production?
Matt: I still do not understand what you are asking.
Ahmed: Did god not created other gods?
Matt: No. There is only one God.
Ahmed: Sorry in writing
Matt: Is English your first language?
Ahmed: Jesus?
Matt: Jesus is not a god. Jesus is 2nd person of the Trinity. The Trinity is ONE God, in three persons, not three gods.
Ahmed: It seems to me that Jesus should not be son?
Matt: He is.
Matt: What religion are you?
Ahmed: I'm Muslim
Matt: I thought so. Why are you Muslim?
Ahmed: I'm born in Muslim home. Like u.
Matt: I was not born a Christian. Do you believe all of Islam?
Ahmed: u was .......looks like that.
Matt: I was not. I was not born into a Christian home.
Ahmed: u embraced Christianity later?
Matt: Yes, at 17. Then I began to study a great deal. Jesus came to me. He revealed himself to me. I became a Christian.
Ahmed: In bed......?
Matt: On my knees, in prayer. The Lord Jesus came to me. I was VERY aware of his Holy presence. He was there. I could not see Him or touch Him, but He was there in a very very powerful way. I felt His purity a great deal, and His holiness. He loved me greatly.
Ahmed: u touched?
Matt: No, I could not touch Him. I could not see Him. But, He was there. It is difficult to explain. That was 30 years ago and I still can feel the warmth of His presence from so long ago. I could never be a Muslim. I could never leave Jesus and follow a system of rules in hopes of being forgiven, not when Jesus has already forgiven me of my sins.
Ahmed: It means u was in Muslim home at birthday? It is so?????
Matt: No. My family was nothing as far as God goes. They claimed to be Christian, but did not walk with the Lord. The Lord was not a part of our home or our way of life. I became a Christian, as I said, at 17 when Jesus forgave me of my sins. Before that, I was basically an agnostic, someone who doesn't know if God exists or not.
Ahmed: than HIS existence make u to embrace Christianity????????
Matt: Yes, His existence, His revelation to me is what caused me to embrace Christianity.
Ahmed: iz't possible that He reveal to me?
Matt: It is possible. Pray to Him and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
Ahmed: Where should pray to Him?
Matt: Pray to Him wherever you are. Look, I will tell you what the gospel is. You need to know this to know WHY Jesus came to earth. The Gospel is His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24). He died and rose again (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:1-4), according to the Scriptures His death on the cross was necessary to forgive us of our sins. God is holy and infinite and perfect. We are not. We have sinned against God. Therefore, we deserved to be judged by God (Eph. 1:3). But, Jesus, who is a "part" of God, became flesh (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9) so that He could be one of us and die in our place. His death is what enables God to forgive us of our sins. Therefore, to trust and accept Jesus means to trust Him for what He did on the cross and to ask Him to forgive us of our sins. Jesus came to save us from the righteous Judgment of God the Father. Jesus came to save us from damnation and there is NO other way to be forgiven of your sins (John 14:6/>). Jesus is the only way.
Ahmed: What was the need of specification of time to come to earth and forgiving sins.
Matt: It simply was the right time for Him to come here.
Ahmed: Ok my father calling me to sleep I'll be next time online.
Matt: Okay. May I put this dialogue on my website? I would like your permission. I would change your nic.
Ahmed: Than he came on the middle of age of earth & creature.
Matt: I do not understand your statement.
Ahmed: What was the specification of time need for forgiving sins
Matt: I am sorry, I do not understand your question.
Ahmed: For Jesus he came to ......earth at any time
Matt: He came at the right time, that's all I can say. Again, may I post this dialogue on my website? I will change your name on it.
Ahmed: Why not in beginning or on end of this world?
Ahmed: Ya u can. But answer me... plz how 1st humanity before Jesus on earth was ......... forgiven. Tell me.
Matt: I do not know why. But, I suspect it was so that Jesus could be crucified. The Jewish leaders at the time had become corrupt. It was a good time to fulfill the biblical prophecies. It was the right time for Jesus to come because it would lead to Him being crucified. Basically, I think that is it.
Ahmed: U mean corruption needs arrival of Jesus??
Matt: Yes. Our corruption means that Jesus must come. We cannot heal ourselves. We need a healer. We can not forgive ourselves. We need someone to forgive us. Only God can forgive us. That is why Jesus is God in flesh (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9). Only He can remove our sins. Our good works cannot be good enough before God (Isa. 64:6). That is why we are saved by faith (Eph. 2:8).
Ahmed: My query that ...........jews + corruptions + mans forgives+ Jesus??????????? Iz that arrangement?????
Matt: Sort of. The situation was right. It was the right time. The corrupt religious leaders, our sinfulness, the prophecies, etc., all were right. Jesus came and died for our sins and rose from the dead. Forgiveness is only through Him.
Ahmed: plz to b continued ....... when u will again here by this phrase I'll continue. Ok?? When u'll b again here?
Matt: I am here frequently. Just look for me.
Ahmed: Time in Pak
Matt: Where are you? Pakistan?
Ahmed: Ye. Ok can I go ??????
Matt: Nice to meet you.
Ahmed: bbye
Matt: Good bye.
I can only hope that this conversation helps this person come to a saving relationship with Jesus. May He be glorified.
