“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Romans 10:1-4
There were approximately one million Muslims in Canada at the time of the 2011 census. That number is likely higher today since more Muslims are immigrating to Canada daily. If you are anything like me, you receive that news with mixed feelings. We worry about the possibility that Islam could become the religion of the majority in Canada. We fear the possibility that Sharia law could govern Canada as it does Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other nations. We dread the persecution awaiting the Christian Church under Sharia law. And we are terrified about what the future may hold for our children and grandchildren, and the generations to come.
And while we may agree or disagree with political decisions that have been made, allowing so many Muslim immigrants into Canada, we do not bear the responsibility for immigration decisions. However, we do have the responsibility of being a light in a world of darkness each day. As the church of Jesus Christ, we need to look past political decisions, and remember that our God is in sovereign control of His world. And we need to grow in our trust in Him, and we need to proclaim the gospel by our lives and by our lips.
Today marks the beginning of Ramadan, a month of fasting for millions of Muslims around the world. It is a reminder that Muslims, like the Jews in Paul’s day, and like so many people in so many other religions, seek to come to God through their own righteousness. But Scripture says that all our righteousness is as filthy rags before God. The only hope for ourselves and for our Muslim neighbours is in the righteousness that has been provided in Jesus Christ! May God help us to be “children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom [we] shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the Word of life!”