This third blog continues a series on the development of spiritual identity for Muslim background believers in Christ (MBBs). The first blog addressed the question, “Who am I?” By the mercy of God, MBBs like myself can confess with joy, “I am in Christ!” The second blog considered the collective question, “Who are we?” The response focused on the collective self-identity in the body of Christ.
Now, the series shifts from self-identity questions to identity as perceived by others. These are the questions which can result in persecution, but also in opportunities for witnessing for the Lord.
This third blog entry deals with the question often faced by MBBs, “Who are you?” To refresh, here are the five questions in numerical and then graphic form:
1. Who am I?
2. Who are we?
3. Who are you?
4. Who is he/she?
5. Who are they?
The Witnessing/Persecution Questions:
3. Who are You?
The family, friends, and circle of these new MBBs will and must eventually notice something has happened to them and within them—something is different. Being “hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3) by no means connotes hiding one’s faith from others. God helps us to witness faithfully of His grace. Friends and family will no doubt ask us, “Who are you?” and, “What have you become?” This may take the form of accusations, “Have you become a Christian?” or “What happened to you?” A lot depends on the tone of the questioning!
This identity question is also raised in the Bible. John the Baptist faced this “fact-finding” scrutiny as his ministry caught the attention of the Jewish people:
This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” (John 1:19-23, emphasis added)
In this case, John the Baptist faced the “who are you?” question twice. John answered honestly: “He confessed and did not deny” (v. 20). He did not obfuscate, even in the presence of potentially hostile inquisitors. His mission was to bear witness of Christ, but not to supplant Christ, as Muhammad would later try to do. John knew his role. It was not about him, but about Jesus.
John the Baptist’s example provides help for MBBs. As tense as the “who are you?” questioning may be, it is about Jesus. The objective is not hiding our faith but embracing one’s cross.
Our goal at this time, under what may be tremendous duress, would be to help these loved ones on their journey of considering “Who is Jesus?” Possibly they will not want to hear our testimony, but we can only do our best. When they have discovered our faith in Christ, they may be in shock for a period of time. Nevertheless, MBBs must not repeatedly miss the opportunity to witness for Christ when this difficult identity question comes. At least some witnessing must occur. This can set up a positive lifestyle example afterward.
One challenge is that during this period, which may feel like an inquisition, there may be a lot of shame. Shame is painful to bear, yet MBBs may face much of it. This cuts against natural human inclinations. Again, the model for MBBs is Jesus, who “for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.” The full context is worth considering:
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2, emphasis added)
In summary, the “Who are you?” question, as well as the two following questions, provide the context in which persecution may take place. Nevertheless, witness for Christ may also place in this context. Indeed, persecution and witness for Christ may take place in their due time. At the beginning, the MBB will not know how all this will work out, yet God knows everything!
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