We All Worship the Same God.

I firmly believe that I will stand before God with my Christian, Jewish, and Muslim brothers. I don't believe there is a Christian god, a Jewish god, or a Muslim god. There is only one God.  I am a Christian. I have a very close friend who is Muslim and a long-time friend who is a devout Jew. We all worship the same God. Here are 10 statements from Jesus and relevant references from the NIV Bible, Jewish texts (mainly the Tanakh), and the Quran. I'll also provide brief explanations on how each applies to today's living from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim perspectives. We All Worship the Same God. 

"Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)

Christian Perspective: This verse calls for evangelism, urging believers to spread the Gospel. In today's world, this can involve verbal preaching and living a life that exemplifies Christian values.
Jewish Perspective: While this exact statement isn’t found in Jewish texts, the principle of influencing others positively is valued, as seen in Proverbs 11:30: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives. "Muslim Perspective: The Quran emphasizes dawah, or inviting others to Islam. Quran 16:125: "Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best."

"Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:31)

Christian Perspective: Known as the Golden Rule, it promotes empathy and kindness, essential for community building and conflict resolution.
Jewish Perspective: Leviticus 19:18: "Love your neighbor as yourself." This principle underpins many Jewish laws about interpersonal conduct.
Muslim Perspective: Hadith: "None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." (Sahih Muslim 45:1)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37)

Christian Perspective: This is the greatest commandment, focusing on total devotion to God. Modern applications include regular prayer, worship, and ethical living.
Jewish Perspective: Deuteronomy 6:5: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This is central to Jewish faith and practice.
Muslim Perspective: Quran 2:165: "But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah." Loving Allah is fundamental, guiding Muslims to live righteously. 

"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39)

Christian Perspective: This commandment emphasizes social justice, charity, and compassion.
Jewish Perspective: Again, Leviticus 19:18. This underlines ethical behavior and community harmony.
Muslim Perspective: Hadith: "He will not enter Paradise whose neighbor is not secure from his wrongful conduct." (Sahih Muslim 45:1)
 
"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Matthew 22:21)

Christian Perspective: This teaches the separation of civic duty and religious obligation, promoting lawful conduct while maintaining spiritual integrity.
Jewish Perspective: Jewish law emphasizes respect for the law of the land (Dina d'malkhuta dina - "The law of the land is the law").
Muslim Perspective: Quran 4:59: "Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you." Muslims are encouraged to respect lawful authority.

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." (Matthew 26:41)

Christian Perspective: Vigilance and prayer are key to resisting sin, helping believers maintain moral integrity.
Jewish Perspective: Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." This stresses the importance of self-discipline and spiritual vigilance.
Muslim Perspective: Quran 29:45: "Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing." Prayer is a means to avoid temptation.

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." (Mark 16:15)

Christian Perspective: Known as the Great Commission, it calls for global evangelism and mission work, reflecting the audacity of spreading faith to every corner of the globe.
Jewish Perspective: While Judaism doesn’t focus on proselytization, it emphasizes being a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6).
Muslim Perspective: Quran 16:125 again highlights dawah, inviting others to faith with wisdom.

"Take up your cross and follow me." (Mark 8:34)

Christian Perspective: This symbolizes self-denial and commitment to Christ, even in the face of hardship.
Jewish Perspective: While the cross isn't a symbol in Judaism, the idea of self-sacrifice and dedication is seen in texts like Psalms 37:5: "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him."
Muslim Perspective: Quran 3:200: "O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful." Endurance and commitment to faith are emphasized.

"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)

Christian Perspective: This stresses the importance of helping those in need as a reflection of serving God. Jewish Perspective: Proverbs 19:17: "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done." Helping others is a divine command, embodying the audacity to serve selflessly. Muslim Perspective: Quran 2:177: "Righteousness is...to give wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy..." Charity is a key component of faith.

"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." (Matthew 28:19)

Christian Perspective: This is the call to make disciples globally, ensuring the spread of Christian teachings with audacity and commitment
Jewish Perspective: While Judaism focuses less on conversion, it emphasizes teaching and living by example (Deuteronomy 6:7: "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road...").
Muslim Perspective: Again, Quran 16:125 highlights the importance of sharing the faith with wisdom and good instruction.

These perspectives show how these teachings can be applied across different faiths in today's world, promoting a life of integrity, compassion, and devotion.