The world has just passed the third anniversary of the 9.11.2001 attacks on the United States by terrorists that will be forever etched in our memories. It was a day that changed the world, and the people on it. To this day many wonder how such a thing could happen, who was behind it, and why could such hatred and evil exist in the minds of human beings. And many do not understand Islam (the religion of those who perpetrated such a horrible crime).

Let us first consider some all-important statements made by the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15). He said (1-4), "Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…"

The Apostle only gave a true gospel message (of course), and by that gospel anyone would be saved (if they hold firmly to it). The foundation of our salvation is of first importance, absolutely, which is, that Christ took our place on the cross, died, was buried, and then was raised to life on the third day by the divine power of God.

That, basically, is the huge difference (and all-important difference) between Christianity and Islam (or any other false religion that does not include a Savior). Any religious beliefs would be useless if they include a salvation plan by outward works (rather than by a personal Savior).

The Apostle then said (1 Corinthians 15:14-17)…"If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."

Christianity includes Christ as our Savior, and that has made all the difference. There can be no truer statement than, ‘A life without Christ is a life that is never fixed.’ We know that ‘nothing impure will ever enter God’s kingdom’ (Revelation 21:27). Our life must be fixed of the sin problem first, and that can only be accomplished through Christ. He is the foundation of everyone’s salvation.

The reason ‘Vs’ was selected for the title is, that ‘versus’ means ‘to be against’ or ‘in contrast with’ something. To be correct on the matter, Christianity is in contrast with Islam because Christianity is ‘salvation by grace’ and Islam is ‘salvation by works.’

The dictionary defines Islam as: the Muslim [muz’lem or mooz’em] religion in which the supreme deity is Allah and the chief prophet is Mohammed. There are similarities (but also huge differences) between Christianity and Islam. Both believe in a supreme deity or God (although the name is different), but the huge difference is that one has a Savior and the other does not. That is a monumental difference, because ‘if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.’ If our faith is useless, our entire belief system is worthless.

This lesson then is primarily to compare the holy Scriptures (on which a Christian’s faith is founded), with the Koran (on which the Muslim’s faith is founded). Everyone would have to agree that there something very insidious behind acts of terrorism on human beings.

One sixth of the human population has converted to Islam (a scholar says) which is about 1 billion people. Islam is considered the fastest growing religion in the world. Also, one sixth of the world population claims to be Christian. Thus one third of the human population is claiming to be either Christian or Islamic. These faiths stand in opposition to each other for obvious reasons that we will soon see.

Islam, (the scholar says), did not begin until the seventh century (which is about 600 years after the New Testament canon of Scripture was completed, at Revelation 22:21). Thus, Islam is one of the newest of the world’s religions (which is a surprise as most people think that Islam is very old due to their traditional beliefs and lifestyle).

A common topic of conversation today (in the workplace, homes, and elsewhere) is about Islam, terrorism, the Taliban, Al queda, etc., which can give the opportunity to share the truth with others (if and when the matter is brought up for discussion). Many will say that Islam is a peaceful religion, and that these terrorists are acting independently, but let us look further into the matter and with God’s help, ascertain the truth.

God’s Word says in 2 Timothy 3:16 [WEY], "Every Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for convincing, for correction of error, and for instruction in right doing." When we understand that the Koran does not teach the true gospel (because it does not acknowledge Christ as the Son of God who died for our sins), we are reminding ourselves (and anyone we are speaking with) of the true gospel.

Islam is a false religious system in light of God’s Word, which says there is only, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all," (Ephesians 4:5). Also that, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name [except Jesus] under heaven given to men by which we must be saved," (Acts 4:12).

It all comes down to either being saved by the Islamic way (which is by works or deeds, and which is every other religion that does not include a Savior), or we are saved by that perfect work of Christ on the Cross. Every other means of salvation outside of Jesus is basically the Islamic way. It is either one or the other.

According to the teaching of Islam approximately six hundred plus years after Jesus was crucified, Mohammed was getting revelations in Arabia (from a spirit). The spirit supposedly told Mohammed what religion was true and what he should accept as correct doctrine. It was in the next twenty-three year period (a scholar says) that Mohammed received these revelations that were compiled after his death and later became known as the Koran.

It is a fact (the scholar says) that Mohammed believed that a demonic being was giving him these revelations, but later he reversed that and said the angel Gabriel gave the revelations. This is important because first he thought it was a demonic spirit, and later said that it was an angel from God.

Hebrews 1:14 says, "Are not all ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" So angels are spiritual beings, and this is important because Mohammed at first was afraid that he was communicating with a demonic being, but later he reversed that and claimed it was the angel Gabriel all along. Thus the way in which the Koran began is very questionable. And we must be reminded, 1 billion people follow the teaching of the Koran.

Mohammed claimed that he was the last of the great Biblical prophets. The Koran agrees that Abraham, Moses, and others were Old Testament prophets, (and even that Jesus was a great New Testament prophet) but then goes on to add that Mohammed was the last of these great prophets. It is important to know this. Mohammed is saying that ‘Certainly God did use all of those prophets. It is just that I’m the last one of these great men of God.’

Quite often the Koran uses Scripture out of context (which is what Satan did when he quoted Psalm 91 while tempting Jesus). For instance, God’s Word (through His Son) says (John 14:16-17), "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever…the Spirit of truth."

Islam erroneously says that referred to the coming of Mohammed, but Christians know that it was the coming of the Holy Spirit of God. In continuing verse 17 Jesus says, "He lives with you and will be in you." Mohammed was not present in the first century so that Islamic theory is wrong. And besides Mohammed could not live ‘in’ anyone, because he was a prophet, not a spirit.

Jesus said in John 16:7 that when He ascended, He would send the Holy Spirit to them, right at that time. In Acts 1 Jesus said ‘when the Holy Spirit comes on you, then we would be His [Jesus’] witnesses.’ It is very clear that the prophecy from God was for the Holy Spirit to be sent, but Islam and the Koran have twisted Scripture to fit their religion and false teaching.

Every Christian must realize that there are over 1 billion people deceived by this false religious system. For that reason alone, we must stand for the truth and only speak the truth whenever and wherever God opens the way for us to do so. There are fanatical Islamic terrorists blowing themselves up, flying jet planes into buildings, and killing thousands of people for a lie. It is all the result of a false religion.

It is all the more reason to stand for the truth and to hold steadfast in the faith until Jesus returns, because He alone is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). And there is "One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all," (Ephesians 4:5). So, by the grace of God may we know the truth and live the truth He has given us, because the world is full of false religions and false teaching…(with billions of followers).

The Koran refers (several times) to Jews and Christians as ‘people of the Book,’ which is the Bible. Mohammed was very familiar with Jews and Christians as there were many around his area (and had been around for centuries) when he received his ‘supposed’ revelations.

Another very important point is that Islam (or the spirit which spoke to Mohammed) denies the two most central and foundational revelations of both the Old and New Testaments that pertain to our salvation. It denies that Jesus Christ in the Son of God, and denies that He took our place on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.

The Koran does speak of Jesus as a great prophet and that He performed miracles, yes, but this is not the same Jesus we know from the Bible. The teaching of the Koran is that Jesus was not the Son of God and that He did not die for our sins…the two core revelations for our salvation!

If Jesus was not the Son of God and if He did not die for our sins, we are all [spiritually] dead in our sins and headed straight for the Lake of Fire. It is a very serious matter, and Islam is a very serious lie. The Apostle clearly stated that foundational fact in 1 Corinthians 15:17, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."

Islam claims that the angel Gabriel (who supposedly gave these revelations to Mohammed) communicated to him that Jesus was a great prophet and teacher, but He wasn’t the Son of God and He didn’t die for our sins. It was from those false revelations that the false religion of Islam was based. The Koran teaches that Allah is one god and that Mohammed is the last great prophet. Then making the serious charge that Jesus was not God’s Son and that He didn’t die for our sins. That completely contradicts the Scriptures, so Islam must be labeled a lie and a delusion!

The Bible tells us (1 John 4:1-3), "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world."

The spirit that supposedly gave these revelations to Mohammed in the 7^th century fails this test. It is not the Spirit from God that we know, because it did not communicate to Mohammed that Jesus is the Son of God nor did it acknowledge the Lord Jesus for Who His is, (the Author of everyone’s salvation).

The Koran teaches a different Jesus…One who was not the Son of God and who did not die for our sins. That is a most serious lie and serious delusion. It is vitally important that we test the spirits to be sure they acknowledge that Jesus was God’s Son and that He did indeed pay the price for our sins.

The Koran also makes this false statement, "Christ, the Son of Mary, was no more than an apostle." So the lie is clearly seen…this supposed new revelation given to Mohammed (that claims to be based on the old revelations and which claims to be inspired) totally contradicts the God of the Old and New Testaments. A quick test of this religion reveals it to be a false teaching.

The Bible states over and over again that Jesus is the Son of God. Isaiah 9:6, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

In the New Testament (at Jesus’ baptism, Matthew 3:17) a voice from heaven says, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." And Simon Peter made this statement (Matthew 16:16), "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Then Jesus followed that declaration by saying, (18) "On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it."

The very foundation upon which the true church of God is built (that Jesus Christ is the Son of God), is being attacked by Islam. That is not to say that all Arabs are in error. God loves everyone the same and gives everyone the same opportunity to accept His Son Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but a choice on their part must be made. The truth must be told, and the truth of God’s Word must be accepted if salvation is our goal.

If we truly loved others (of every nation, tribe, people, and language), we would want them to know the truth. Satan has multitudes of the Arabic countries (and millions of people in this country) to accept a lie and a false teaching that will send them to the Lake of Fire forever if not repented of, and if Christ is not accepted as their Savior.

We can know for certain that eternal flames will be the fate of anyone who lives a lie because, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved," (Acts 4:12).

Many people defend Islam and the teaching of the Koran, saying it is a peaceful religion and that it doesn’t teach terrorism, etc. Many statements made about Islam are contradictory (and it is difficult to ascertain whether they agree to such evil acts against infidels or not), but we only need to know that the Koran says that Jesus was not the Son of God (and teaches that He did not die for our sins). That labels it (for what it is) a false religion, a lie, and a delusion…straight from the pit and straight from Satan himself!

There is a serious, spiritual war for the souls of men/women going on, and Satan will not back off until he is forced to (by a much higher power). We need to stand for the truth and to fight the good fight until Jesus returns. We want to be able to say (what the Apostle said, 2 Timothy 4:7), "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness…"

The most well-known and memorized verse in all of Scripture is probably (John 3:16), "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

It is this all-important verse (in all of Scripture) that is not taught in the Koran, that God loves everyone, that He wants all people of every nation to come to repentance, and He proved that He does by giving up His Son to die in our place.

But offering His Son as our sacrifice, so that we might live with Him forever, is denied by the Koran and is not accepted by the followers of Islam. It is a serious delusion and false doctrine that must be proclaimed for what it is…a lie that can have deadly and eternal results if no change nor repentance is forthcoming because Islam denies that Jesus is the Son of God, and we know that, "There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved," (Acts 4:12).