By Hedieh Mirahmadi

Before my salvation through Christ, I spent over two decades trying to defeat Islamic radicalization. I built evidence based programs across the US and around the world, partnering with law enforcement and communities, to “hopefully” prevent young men or women from committing ideologically motivated violence. I used to be proud of all that I had accomplished but obviously, I never solved the problem. No matter what any of us “experts” did, the terrorists multiplied. After awhile, it was exhausting and felt worthless. I kept doing the same things over again and expecting different results. So I simply stopped doing it. 

This week, I reconnected with a dear friend and colleague who heard of my acceptance of Christ. Though she was happy for me personally, she was disappointed I was no longer “fighting the good fight”. When I thought and prayed about what she said, I decided the truth was quite the opposite! I AM still in the fight, but now with a REAL solution. It is the power of Christ Jesus that can save, transform, and redeem all of humanity, even lost Muslims. 

In Romans, Paul appeals to God’s promises to Abraham as evidence that there never has been a distinction amongst people who believe His message. God’s plan all along has been that this message would bless all nations through Israel’s proclamation of it. It doesn’t matter whether you come from the law of the Jews, Paganism or Islam. Once you put your faith in Christ, we are all the same. We are all reborn as children of God. 

It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. Romans 4:13-16 

My duty now is to spread the good news of the Gospel and offer Muslims the ONLY solution to a life filled with anger, vengefulness and hatred. Accept the grace that abounds through a simple yet powerful profession of faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Watch your life go from darkness to light, bondage to the freedom, and hatred to love. 

Adam brought trespass into the world, but Jesus brought a gift. With Adam, death multiplied because all have sinned; with Jesus, grace multiplied as God’s gift of forgiveness was offered to everyone.

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19