“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
Loving one’s neighbor has been a command from God for over 2,000 years, even before Christ cited it as the second greatest commandment, God had commanded the Israelites to love their neighbors: ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18
Of course, when Christ says it in Mark 12, “neighbor” has a much broader meaning than how the Israelites probably interpreted it in the Levitical law. Christ is not talking about the people who share the same street address but in fact anyone whose lives we touch – friends, coworkers, passers-by. These are all “neighbors” we need to love.
There are certain neighbors in our lives that are not always the easiest to talk to. This is usually because they are different from us in one way or another, but this is not an unbeatable barrier.
One of these groups for most American Christians is our Muslim neighbors – coworkers, friends, classmates, and next-door neighbors. If you’re looking for the best way to start loving your Muslim neighbor, you’re in the right spot.
How to love your Muslim neighbor
First, to establish a relationship with a Muslim neighbor or friend, put yourself into a “host-guest” mentality, especially if you know they are immigrants. Because hospitality is a core of Muslim culture, they often view you as the “host” in your country, and will not reach out to you first but rather wait for your first step towards them.
So take that first step! Invite your Muslim friend out for coffee or over for a meal, or share your lunch break together at work.
Loving your neighbor includes more than a friendship. The most loving thing we can do for our neighbor is to share the love of Christ with them, and while being a good friend is a small part of this, that does not cover all of the spiritual needs. Anyone can be a good friend, but loving your Muslim neighbor is more than friendship.
Yes, loving your Muslim neighbor means explicitly and directly talking to them about Jesus, sharing the gospel and the Bible with them, and asking them questions to prompt them.
You can find a great guide to what questions to ask and what specific questions to expect in The Guide to Loving Your Muslim Neighbor, written for Christians who are beginning intentional evangelism to Muslims!
How can you share the gospel with a Muslim friend?
As you talk to your Muslim neighbor about the gospel, don’t rush them or overwhelm them with arguments – in fact, don’t argue with them at all. Instead, the easiest and kindest way to approach the topic is by asking them questions about their faith first!
You might discover how passionate they are about their Muslim faith – are they devoted to the Quran and Allah or are they Muslim because their parents are Muslim? Ask them why they believe what they do, and what they believe salvation looks like.
Asking questions like this will give you a good insight into their beliefs, and help you learn who they are and what they are lacking in Islam. There’s no hope in Islam, only the pressure to perform and impress Allah. This is the space where you can start sharing Christ with your Muslim friend, explaining the hope and unconditional love that He brings!
Give your Muslim friend time to wrestle with what you tell them, and be mindful that you will not be the one to convince them of anything – that is the Holy Spirit’s job. Your job in loving your Muslim neighbor is presenting the truth to them, and then the Holy Spirit steps in and opens up their heart to hear and receive.
Always be willing to say “I don’t know” if your Muslim friend asks a question you cannot confidently answer. Then take it a step further and offer to study and search for the answer in the Bible together, or find it and always follow up with them on it. Remember that everything you do or say grows or shrinks trust, so make sure to follow through on your word!
Bible verses to help you love your Muslim neighbor
“Jesus replied: “‘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.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…” Philippians 2:3-5
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:8-10
Prayer for loving your Muslim neighbor
Dear Lord, thank you for saving me from a life of emptiness and filling me with your love, and covering me in grace. Please give me the courage to boldly love my Muslim neighbor and share the gospel with them! Open up their heart to hear and accept Christ. Amen.
