Weakness in Strength. Strength in Weakness

Recent events unveil, for those who want to look, a fundamental difference in the identity and work of Muhammad and Christ Jesus. John Piper picks this up in a recent article. The very thing which we as Christians glory in - the suffering and ignominy of our Saviour on the cross - is the very thing that Islam cannot bear. Says Piper,

[A] religion with no insulted Savior will not endure insults to win the scoffers. It means that this religion is destined to bear the impossible load of upholding the honor of one who did not die and rise again to make that possible. It means that Jesus Christ is still the only hope of peace with God and peace with man. And it means that his followers must be willing to “share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).

Every political event in this country which highlights a moral or religious issue simply confirms to me that the Christian action necessary to alleviate these problems is not concerted effort to lobby for legislation, education or policy. Rather it is the task of singlemindedly bearing Christ's name before men and women whatever comes our way and boldly declaring the good news of the gospel.