We are living through a pivotal moment in American history. The political and societal instability following the events of October 7th has led to what seems a significant cultural shift.

When Americans kneel in Islamic prayer on the Columbia University campus or chant "Death to America" in the middle of Manhattan, it is a clear indicator that things are heading in the wrong direction.

The rising support for extreme Islamic ideology in the country should be of great concern to Christians. If we do not address this issue seriously, we risk leading ourselves down a path of self-destruction, endangering our freedoms. America may cease to be a safe haven for persecuted minorities, particularly Christians. One does not need to be a geopolitical expert to understand the complexity of the issue, especially when it originates from a culturally distinct region. Understanding the conflict requires an understanding of the culture and religion of Islam, which are deeply intertwined. While some argue the conflict is strictly geopolitical, it is evidently deeply ideological. Israel, the birthplace of three major world religions through the patriarch Abraham, is a testament to the religious roots of many wars.

Muslims believe that Christ was a prophet to be respected but not worshiped because He was neither divine nor resurrected. To consider Christ a deity is a grave sin, or shirk (شِرْك) in Arabic. This belief system was ingrained in me from a young age, along with a deeply embedded enmity towards non-Muslims, which Westerners might find difficult to comprehend.

For centuries, Muslims have persecuted Christians because of one fundamental Christian truth: Jesus is God incarnate, who came to earth, died for our sins on the cross, and resurrected on the third day. Now, more than ever, it is crucial for Westerners to understand the Islamic belief system.

Christians, in particular, should not hesitate to share the Gospel-especially their personal stories of what Jesus has done in their lives-with their Muslim neighbors, as it is the only message that can truly transform lives. It is vital to be mindful and kind in your interactions, recognizing that Muslims often come from a distinctly different worldview. It is a common mistake for those from Western backgrounds to overlook these differences when engaging with Muslim individuals.

Muslims are one of the largest unreached groups in the world, making up 25% of the global population. I also recognize that some Christians may be reluctant to share their faith due to legitimate concerns for their safety. However, let's be reminded that nowhere in the Bible were the disciples and the church throughout history "safe" when sharing the good news. What is the worst that could happen? You could die and go to heaven to be with your Lord and Savior, for whom you were created in the first place. Let us now forget what Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

One of the most prominent examples of radical transformation is the story of apostle Paul, whose life's mission was to exclusively persecute Christians. What transformed a man who sought to murder Christians into the greatest apostle who wrote half of the New Testament? It is Jesus, and He continues to do so. Countless stories of ex-Muslims coming to Christ can be found with a simple YouTube search. There are stories of extreme Muslims-ISIS leaders, Taliban members, Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda members, and many others-who have encountered the true and living God, Jesus Christ, and radically changed their lives. They continue to share the good news with the world despite persecution and jeopardy to their safety.

Jesus saved my life when I wasn't even seeking Him, at the age of 11 in Tajikistan-a country once part of the Persian Empire and later the former Soviet Union. He saved the daughter of a man who once contemplated joining the Taliban to liberate Afghanistan from Western ideology. My father passed away a few years ago from terminal cancer, and he was ministered to and prayed over by the church until he took his last breath.

Now, more than ever, Christians need to awaken from their slumber and remember their identity and calling in Christ Jesus. We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines and let life happen to us. In Christ, we are more than conquerors and are meant to live fulfilling, supernatural lives that bear fruit. Christians need to bear fruit. It is our duty, it is our calling and mandate as followers of Christ. We bear fruit as believers by following the command to make disciples of all nations.

This means sharing the Gospel with those who disagree with us, find the Gospel offensive, and may potentially harm us. We were never promised safety in Christ. On the contrary, we are promised hardship and persecution for His name's sake. John 15:18 states, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you."

There will never be just a political resolution to any war. Humans wage wars. We do not have the power to transform our lives, heal our traumas, and become better human beings by sheer will. Dealing with sin does not work that way. It is the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit that transforms and changes hearts, minds, bodies, and souls.

It was in that moment when Saul put down his sword, enchanted by the beauty of our Lord and Savior, that he became Paul. It is the unending grace of God that saved a little descendant of Ishmael from a tiny minority people group in Tajikistan who was taught to hate everything He loved. Twenty-three years later, I am falling deeply in love with Jesus every passing day and cannot keep quiet about it. Jesus is the Only way.

Written by Fariza Gulomikova