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THE RACE - ISSUE 8
In the Middle of the Divide
Sharing the Gospel with an Algerian Arab is .
. . well, difficult. The dilemma, of course, is of a spiritual nature
because, "the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving,
that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who
is the image of God." 2 Corinthians 4:4
But, it is also deeply rooted
in his Islamic culture and family pressures.. Many times, one hears the
Gospel, and perhaps is interested, but remains enslaved to religious and
cultural "norms."
Here is an example of this challenge:
Four years
ago, Salim confronted and argued with me in the marketplace where we were
giving away Bibles. Finally, he agreed to come to our cell church, and after
two Sundays had prayed to receive Christ.
Salim seemed a new
man.
Next time, he came to the market and said, "I'm one of you now!" I
asked him once if he would tell his friends that he was now a Christian.
He quickly responded,
"No! They'll cut off my head!"
During
the months that followed he never missed a Bible study. Then, he went back
to his city of origin in Algeria. After passing a summer there, he returned
and was back to his old arguments against Christ. He stopped coming to
church-- and for four years, he dropped contact with me.
Recently, we saw
him downtown. After some catching up, I invited Salim to come and eat with
us and stay for Bible study. Salim heard about the judgement of believers
and the lost. Once again he has dropped contact, but we are thankful to have
another chance to witness the Gospel to Salim..
Jesus once
said:
"Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you,
no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will
be divided, three against two, and two against three. They will be
divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter,
and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against daughter-in-law,
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." Luke 12:51-53
Salim is in
the middle of the divide.
Please, pray for many Algerians who hear the
Gospel from radio and satellite television broadcasts, from receiving a Bible
and a Jesus Film, or from a Christian friend's witness- but who cannot take
the important step of denying oneself and following Christ . . . for fear of
the cost.
The Algerian Arab Team
therace@therace.ws
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