Article of Faith
How I handled a Muslim friend’s Blasphemy -By Aihevboloria Itua
Jesus has been insulted and called several demeaning names and yet never ordered the execution of anyone. If the followers of Christ were taught to be offensive and hostile, this world would have since ended. No one has the monopoly of violence!
A Moslem friend posted a demeaning video of Christ on a WhatsApp group I belong. I can’t even begin to tell you how insulting it was. Though I was offended, I didn’t challenge the provocative action of this person. All I did was to delete the video for me.
I am not a nominal Christian. I am a diehard follower of Christ and ardent practitioner of His principles. I don’t need any motivation to defend my savior against blasphemers. But my Lord didn’t teach his followers to defend Him. He loved and loves everyone, especially His enemies. He wishes they embrace His offer of salvation and escape the wrath of God that will come upon mankind.
Jesus has been insulted and called several demeaning names and yet never ordered the execution of anyone. If the followers of Christ were taught to be offensive and hostile, this world would have since ended. No one has the monopoly of violence!
But Jesus taught His followers well. He taught them tolerance, compassion, forgiveness, humanity, hope… Everything Jesus taught us is to promote peace, growth, civility, brotherliness.
The world takes advantage of our love to hate, of our peace to create war, of our forgiving spirit to perpetrate evil and our tolerance to persist in their wickedness.
But the Lord won’t be silent forever. He also knows how to protect those who serve Him. The mighty Saul who persecuted the church was arrested and converted to the faith he hated with passion.
In another instance He killed Herod who went after the head of James and Peter just to score cheap political points. We leave those who believe they have the monopoly of violence to divine judgement of our Lord and Savior Jesus who is the Lion of the tribe we belong.
