This week we'll share excerpts from the testimony of “Mohammed,” a former Muslim who decided to commit his life to Christ, even if it meant he would face rejection and persecution in his native Iran. The words are his, unless otherwise noted in italics. Come back to the Persecution Blog throughout the week to read more of Mohammed's amazing testimony, and how he shared his love for Jesus even in jail cells and Iranian courtrooms.
I was 39 years old and in one night I came to Christ without anybody witnessing to me. For 20 years I was addicted. I was using five kinds of drugs. Six or seven years I was outside Iran. Being outside Iran, I was free to use all kinds of drugs. Whatever I did I was an extremist – using of drugs, even my religion.
My father went to war. My elder brother was in the Iran/Iraq war all eight years and he was wounded in the war. One of my brothers was in war for five years and was killed in war. When I went to war myself, I told my commander to please either send me to a place that by this time tomorrow I will be a martyr or [else] I will go back to my city. I don’t want to play around. For the God I knew [Allah], I wanted to do my best.
The first time I got familiar with robberies, I was outside Iran. I went on to gang robbery. When I was with them, after one week I realized that whatever we bring into our house and whatever we eat is because of the robbery. I thought this is such an advanced country, how can there be so many thieves and robberies here? They said, “Let’s go; I will show you.” When I saw how they steal things, after one month those who were the gang leaders were giving me projects and asking me to steal things that they couldn’t steal.
When I got to know about drugs, the first time I used drugs I smoked it from night until morning. In everything I was an extremist. I couldn’t control my own flesh. I was strong in other ways but whatever my flesh wanted, I had to fulfill. Those who used drugs with me said, “Take this for tonight so in the middle of the night you won’t call us. Because whenever you want it you have to come and disturb us in the middle of the night.” So when I got the drugs, I would use it all that night, I couldn’t resist, if I had drugs in my home I had to use it. I would finish it and would go after [more the] next day.
I started exercising, this was before my addiction. Within a couple of months I was first pick in wrestling, and I was very serious when I was doing sports, but my coach did not allow me to go to more than local competitions. For local competition, I won him first spot. He only allowed me local competitions to win for him. I probably could have been an athlete at the national level.
When I found out that I had that potential, I asked God for one thing. “Why don’t you bring me a good teacher in life; I have so much potential?” Later I encountered Jesus and he was called the teacher. That is why I won’t let him go: he is the teacher I have been looking for all my life!
Come back tomorrow to read how Mohammed came to follow Jesus.
Amen, It is only God's will that give salvation.
Posted by: Line | April 27, 2013 at 09:45 AM
STAR777, careful in what you say there. You're saying the only way to salvation is through not just God's will, but also man's. You're saying that if man rejects Jesus, then God's hands are tied. That is wrong. God is omnipotent. He does not need a human to make choices for Him. Take the Saul to Paul conversion as an example. God made Paul into a Christian without his permission. Please don't put my God in a box; only He can change hearts. Thank you.
Posted by: Dan F | April 26, 2013 at 07:24 AM
the Will of GOD (.......) X the Will of Human (.......) = the Salvation (.......) .
the Will of GOD (Yes) X the Will of Human (Yes) = the Salvation (Yes) .
the Will of GOD (Yes) X the Will of Human (No) = the Salvation (No) .
the Will of GOD (No) X the Will of Human (Yes) = the Salvation (No) .
the Will of GOD (No) X the Will of Human (No) = the Salvation (No) .
Posted by: STAR777 | April 23, 2013 at 12:30 PM