Read Journeys, chapter 14

Read Dialogue, chapter 24

Principles for ministry among Muslims

1 Peter 3:8-22 provides principles for ministry among Muslims. Here are 15 principles taken from these verses.

1. Live in harmony with one another (verse 8).
2. Be humble (verse 8).
3. Bless those who do you wrong (verse 9).
4. Keep your tongue from evil (verse 10).
5. Seek peace and pursue it (verse 11).
6. Pray (verse 12).
7. Live righteously (verse 12.) When Christians live the Sermon on the Mount, that is an astonishing revelation of good news. The righteous living of disciples of Jesus is powerful evidence of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, and Muslims are delighted.
8. Do good (verse 13). Most Muslims never read the Bible. However, they do read the Bible revealed within the lives of Christians (2 Corinthians 3:3). Christian ministry among Muslims should “do good.”
9. Accept suffering (verse 14).
10. Be bold (verse 14). Often Christians are afraid of the questions Muslims ask, and so we avoid conversation. Or in other ways we express fear. We need gentle boldness, without fear.
11. Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (verse 15.) Be clear about the center of our faith. Always treasure Jesus in the center of our hearts.
12. Give account of the hope within us to all who ask (verse 15). When we live in the way of Christ among Muslims, they will ask questions. We need to be equipped to give account of the hope that is within us when they ask.
13. Show love, gentleness, and respect.
14. Rejoice in our salvation (verses 16-21). Muslims sometimes comment that when Christians worship it sounds as though they are having a party. That is true. The joy of our salvation: forgiveness of sins, knowing God as our Father and best friend, the assurance of heaven, the joy of the Holy Spirit within and all of this by grace alone causes us to rejoice. And that is witness indeed!
15. Be confident that Jesus has all authority (verse 22). Although there will be many challenges, we press on in the gentle and persistent confidence that all authority and power are given to Jesus Christ, and that He is indeed returning some day to establish His kingdom forever and ever. We live with the daily prayer: Even so, come Lord Jesus!