Teachings of Isa Al-Masih 

Can the teachings of Isa Al-Masih apply to human life in this age?

In today’s world of increasing religious turmoil and sectarian violence, anger and hatred are being vented through venomous words and slogans that call for armed struggle and deadly retaliation: “kill the oppressor,” “seek and destroy,” “an eye for an eye,” strike terror into their hearts,” “bomb the perpetrators,” “show no mercy,” “avenge the blood of the martyrs,” “fight in the name of Allah.”

What makes all of these words so disturbing is that they can even be heard from the mouths of religious leaders. Though these particular leaders and their extremist views do not represent the masses, their message is loud and fearsome. As a result, the voice of the people becomes repressed and their desires crushed. Most people really want a peaceful environment and friendly relations. They have enough struggles just coping with the hardships of life. They do not want the extra burden of some religious and ideological war. They simply want to be able to peacefully pursue their livelihoods and fulfill their responsibilities in life. They are already burdened with concerns of providing for family needs and raising their children to live respectable lives. They want their sons and daughters to learn how to contribute to the welfare of their community, not how to shoot guns and make bombs.

People around the world are becoming fed up with religious fanaticism and hypocrisy. Though their voice may not be heard over the tumult of intolerance and extremism, their hearts cry out, “stop the bloodshed,” “stop the bombings,” “stop the boycotts,” “stop the revenge,” “stop the injustices,” “stop the burning of worship houses,” “stop the arrogance and insensitivity,” “stop the hatred and the violence!”

People are desperately yearning for a change. They are craving an alternative message—a message that can rid the soul of hatred and heal the heart of brokenness.

Isa Al-Masih offers that message. It is a message that closes the door to chaos and opens the door to peace. It is a message that speaks of a law that transcends time, place and culture. That law is the law of love. It is a law that demands love for Allah and love for fellow human beings. It is a law that demands love even for those on the opposing side. From the lips of Isa Al-Masih, who speaks as the Word of Allah, we find these words:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Injil, Matthew 22:37-39

You have heard it said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Injil, Matthew 5:43

Isa Al-Masih taught his followers many things about love for Allah and love for fellow human beings. These teachings are reflected in the scriptures of the Injil so that we too might be enlightened and uplifted. For example, we read these wonderful words:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Injil, Colossians 3:12-14

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Injil, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Organized religion has much to say about laws and even more laws. But can anything surpass this teaching of the Injil on divine love? What a refreshing breath of pure air are these words: compassion, kindness, humility and forgiveness. But this should not surprise us, for such words of purity and beauty come from the very breath of Allah!

Returning to the lead question, “Can the teachings of Isa Al-Masih apply to human life in this age?” we hear the response—the heart of humanity cries out, “Yes, yes indeed!” This commandment to love applies to all ages, for it speaks of the predominant attribute of Him who is The Merciful One, The Compassionate One, from eternal past to eternal future.

This question leads us to one more critical observation. Many voices from different directions are calling for religious reformation. Experience, however, teaches us that what is really needed is not religious reformation, but character transformation—change of the heart! What is needed is a divine power that can transform hate into love, revenge into forgiveness, and enemies into friends. Amazingly, He who spoke on this issue of divine love is the one whom Allah has empowered to bring about such a transformation. This change of heart can occur in the lives of those who invoke the name of Isa Al-Masih and invite him to rule in their lives. Remember, He who is called Isa Ruhullah is the life-giving Spirit from Allah who can breathe a new creation to replace the old. For the Holy Scriptures confirm this wonderful truth and conclude for us with these words:

If anyone is in Christ [believes and embraces him], he is a new creature; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ. Injil, 2 Corinthians 5:17