THE WAR IS ON
As the year 1990 comes to a close, dark war clouds hover over the world.
As Christians, we are also engaged in a war, but we do not war according to the flesh. The forces of the Muslim world would destroy Christianity, if they could; and this battle is joined throughout the world.
We call your attention to the statement made in the Scriptures, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (II Cor. 10:4,5).
Some years ago, brother J.A. Johnson (now deceased) converted a Muslim to Christianity. This man has made an exhaustive study of the Muslim religion and has been very successful in turning Muslims to Christ. This has brought upon him persecution, but he is pressing the battle more and more zealously. The battle has not been without fruit, for more than 240 former Muslims are now devout Christians in India. This brother has started a school to train these former Muslims to go out into the villages of India and convert Muslims to Christ. I had the privilege while in India this time of visiting this work. I heard the beautiful singing of these men who joyfully proclaimed to the world their faith in Christ.
Warning! The original article by brother Bailey included the name of the above-mentioned man. If you were referred to this article as a reference for this man, please be informed that he no longer has the confidence of faithful brethren who are well-informed about his personal character and work. Roy Davison, 2008.
There is probably no place in the world where the Muslim can be won for Christ with less difficulty than in India. It is true that Muslims sometimes persecute severely those who dare to become Christians. I saw the scars on the head of a beautiful girl of about 18 whose only offense was that she had accepted Christ. The laws of India are supposed to guarantee freedom of religion, so the Muslims are not as vicious as they are in some countries.
This conflict between Christianity and the Muslim religion has continued from the very days of Mohammed himself. From an historical standpoint, 'Christianity' (as commonly practiced) has not been very successful because it is vastly corrupted. Now, however, this spiritual battle is being joined by men who proclaim Christianity in its pure form as revealed in the New Testament.
I am calling upon my brethren to join in this struggle on behalf of the truth of the gospel. Paul said (by the Holy Spirit), "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life whereunto thou art also called and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" (I Tim. 6:12).
Brethren, a spiritual war is raging. There is no force that is so determined to destroy Christianity as the Muslim religion. When the simple and pure gospel of Christ is preached, we can win decisively. Are we prepared to join the battle for the hearts and minds of men? "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds" (II Cor. 10:4).
We have seen the truth triumph in India. More than one half million people have become obedient to the faith. Some 1,000 preachers proclaim Christ and Him crucified. Some of these men are of outstanding ability. This conflict with the Muslim religion is just a new phase of our effort to bring the Indian people to the foot of the cross. Brethren, we cannot fail and face the judgment uncondemned.
My twenty-second trip to India has ended. The outward man is decaying, but the inward man is being renewed day by day. I have passed my 87th birthday, and there is serious question that I will ever be able to go to India again, but I promised the Indian brethren that I would fall with my face to the foe and the sword of the Spirit in my hand. To join in this fight "casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (II Cor. 10:5) gives me extreme joy. (All quotations are from the K.J.V.)
J.C. Bailey, 1990, Bengough, Saskatchewan
(http://www.oldpaths.com)