Not for Our Glory

“Who is He, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- He is the King of glory.” Psalm 24:10, NIV.

Sharing the love of Christ with Muslim people groups in the Pacific Rim, or anywhere else in the world, is difficult. The religious leader of the community often has unquestioned authority and is normally suspicious of any outsider. Tom* found this to be true with his people group, but, surprisingly, he discovered that directness and boldness is the best response.

One afternoon, Tom and a volunteer team were setting up for a medical clinic when the village Imam (the mosque leader) came to visit. He greeted Tom warmly, and then said, “These people are stupid. They do not understand that you want to share your religion along with your medicine.”

Tom did not hesitate. He said, “Yes, we are sharing religion, because we don’t want the people to think that this is about us. We want to make sure that God gets the glory for any good that happens out of these medical clinics.”

Seeking the glory of God instead of seeking glory for self is something that Muslims agree with as being good and holy, so Tom’s response completely disarmed the Imam. At every clinic the people are served medically before the gospel is shared, so they are not made to feel that listening to the gospel is required to get medical care. Most stay to hear the gospel, and over 1,400 have responded to the good news at medical clinics. But even those who do not respond know that the volunteers and Tom have come because of the love that God has for them.

This message of God’s love for them is completely foreign to a Muslim man or woman. God is holy and good. He is a powerful punisher of evil who is to be feared and appeased. God is unknowable, and certainly not available for a loving, personal relationship. The pathway to God opened by Christ is unlike anything the Muslim people have known, which is why it is good news to all who understand it and receive it! Tom and the medical volunteers he coordinates are just giving the people the chance to hear and respond to this great truth.

*Name changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

God will give boldness and wisdom to Pacific Rim personnel working with Muslim people groups.

Volunteer teams will be careful to give all the glory to God, so that people will see Jesus and not them as the giver of good things.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.