It's a Matter of Perception
Raji Stephan works among the people of the West Bank, which was formerly controlled by the Kingdom of Jordan. It’s in the Holy Land, but there isn’t much holiness in that land these days. Muslim Arabs, Christian Arabs, and Israeli Jews all fight for this rocky piece of real estate, in which land sells for a million dollars an acre. It seems that each party is guilty of sins against the other two.
The Muslim radicals in Palestine garner much media attention with acts of violence, including suicide bombings. The Israeli Jews, however, are not innocent. The walls and checkpoints they have set up throughout the West Bank have created a Byzantine labyrinth for travelers going to work or to visit relatives. Raji describes a planned visit to conduct a Bible study in which he successfully passed through four checkpoints, only to be denied admission at the fifth. The decision was an arbitrary one by the guard. He didn’t respect brother Stephan, nor the Bible he showed him. West Bank Palestinians receive so much mistreatment at the hands of the Israelis that hatred between them will seethe for centuries.
American Christians or those who profess Christianity are of little help. Those who adhere to the popular doctrine of premillennialism tend to favor the Israelis over the Arabs in disputes. This is in spite of the fact that Arab Muslims are far more receptive to the gospel than are Israeli Jews.
Arabs watch Americans who visit their land closely to see if their faith is genuine. Often, it is not. Raji related how a Muslim friend of his ferried an American televangelist and his entourage on a trip to be baptized in the Jordan River. Two blind men were among the group—except that the bus driver perceived that they weren’t blind, but only pretended to be in order to demonstrate a miraculous “healing.” The Muslims said nothing to the televangelist about his subterfuge, but took his money and developed a jaundiced view about American Christians.
The lessons to be learned from the Holy Land involve perception. We need to grow out of our mindset that says, “I don’t care what people think.” What others think of us is important. In order to win souls among a hostile population, it is important to “Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.” –Titus 2:7, 8.
When people meet Christians, they should leave with a taste of wholesome sweetness in their heart. Actually, Paul thought of salt. “Conduct yourself wisely toward outsiders,” he advised, “making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.” –Colossians 4:5, 6.
Salty speech. Christians who are genuine. It would go a long ways toward peace in the Middle East. And here, too.
The Muslim radicals in Palestine garner much media attention with acts of violence, including suicide bombings. The Israeli Jews, however, are not innocent. The walls and checkpoints they have set up throughout the West Bank have created a Byzantine labyrinth for travelers going to work or to visit relatives. Raji describes a planned visit to conduct a Bible study in which he successfully passed through four checkpoints, only to be denied admission at the fifth. The decision was an arbitrary one by the guard. He didn’t respect brother Stephan, nor the Bible he showed him. West Bank Palestinians receive so much mistreatment at the hands of the Israelis that hatred between them will seethe for centuries.
American Christians or those who profess Christianity are of little help. Those who adhere to the popular doctrine of premillennialism tend to favor the Israelis over the Arabs in disputes. This is in spite of the fact that Arab Muslims are far more receptive to the gospel than are Israeli Jews.
Arabs watch Americans who visit their land closely to see if their faith is genuine. Often, it is not. Raji related how a Muslim friend of his ferried an American televangelist and his entourage on a trip to be baptized in the Jordan River. Two blind men were among the group—except that the bus driver perceived that they weren’t blind, but only pretended to be in order to demonstrate a miraculous “healing.” The Muslims said nothing to the televangelist about his subterfuge, but took his money and developed a jaundiced view about American Christians.
The lessons to be learned from the Holy Land involve perception. We need to grow out of our mindset that says, “I don’t care what people think.” What others think of us is important. In order to win souls among a hostile population, it is important to “Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.” –Titus 2:7, 8.
When people meet Christians, they should leave with a taste of wholesome sweetness in their heart. Actually, Paul thought of salt. “Conduct yourself wisely toward outsiders,” he advised, “making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.” –Colossians 4:5, 6.
Salty speech. Christians who are genuine. It would go a long ways toward peace in the Middle East. And here, too.
posted by Unknown @ 12:01 PM
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