Should we love Muslims?

1. God loves Muslims!
   Muslims are loved by God in the same way that He loves all people. Like all humans, Muslims are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Like all humans, Muslims sin and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Like all humans, God loved them so much that He sent His son, so that those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life (John 3:16).
2. God calls Muslims to Himself!
   God designed all of us to seek after Him. That includes Muslims. "From one man, He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth", …God did this so men would seek Him and perhaps reach out to Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:24-31, espec. 26,30)." Like you and I, God has placed "eternity in their hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11)."
   
3. The only good Muslims … are most Muslims.
   The media tends to picture Muslims as wild-eyed terrorists who want to bomb America and kill all Christians. The overwhelming majority of Muslims are peace-loving, hospitable people.
4. Muslims are people, too!
   Most Muslims are concerned about the same things as you and I. They want to raise their children well, they are concerned about rising crime and pornography, and work hard to pay their bills and survive. Like us, most Muslims decry human suffering and violence between peoples. Many Muslims yearn for peace, friendship, and a happy life. We share the same concerns and needs.
5. God is at work among Muslims!
   Many Muslims are sensitive to God and spiritual things. Because they fear God and are aware of spiritual reality, Muslims often speak of how God appeared to them through dreams and visions, just like He did to the God-fearer Cornelius (Acts 10:1-8). Stories abound of healings because of God's power through Jesus. An increasing number of Muslims are hungry to know about God's dramatic work through Jesus.
6. Because we are spiritually related.
   Many Muslims look to 'Ibrahim (Abraham) as "our forefather (Romans 4:1)." Since those who follow Jesus call Abraham "the father of all who believe (Romans 4:11)," that makes us 'cousins'! Like us, Muslims believe in one true God, the Creator of all peoples.
7. Because they value our Holy Book and Jesus.
   The Q'uran specifically commends the Torat (books of the Law, the first five books of the Bible); the Zibur (the Psalms, or wisdom literature); and the injil (the Gospels). Jesus was sent by God to earth; Jesus healed many during his ministry; and he is returning to judge the living and the dead.
8. Because they have something to teach us.
   Muslims take the spiritual world very seriously and generally are more open to discuss spiritual issues. They have a very high respect for God and His power. Muslims place a high value on community and loyalty. Hospitality is very important to them. These are qualities that most westerners appreciate in their Muslim friends.
9. God made promises to their ancestors.
   Many Muslims look to 'Ibrahim (Abraham) as their descendant through his first son, Ishmael. God made this promise to Ibrahim: "As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and I will make him fruitful, and I will multiply him. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation (Genesis 17:20)." God fulfilled this promise, for there are over one billion Muslims in the world today!
10. Because God promised that Muslims who follow Jesus will be part of the multitudes who are gathered about the Throne of God.
    When God gathers all His people at the end of time, there will be representatives from every people group on the earth, "from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing before the Throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, …crying out in a loud voice, 'Salvation to our God who sits on the throne… (Revelation 7:9,10)!"