3 Proofs Jews, Muslims And Christians DON’T Worship The Same God

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“Jews, Muslims and Christians all worship the same God.” Many like saying this, but is it true?

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It’s meant to be a “unifying” statement. Perhaps people hope that folks will get along better if they believe this.

While I am all for getting along better, the statement is just wrong.

Indeed, these are the 3 great monotheistic religions of the world. All 3 believe that there is only one God. This is different from polytheistic religions such as Hinduism which holds that there are millions of gods, Shintoism and others.

But still the statement is fundamentally flawed because the God each religion worships is so vastly different.

Here are 3 Proofs Jews, Muslims and Christians Do NOT Worship the Same God:

01. Christians believe that there is one God, who exists in 3 persons.

All mainstream Christians believe in the 3 in 1, from Catholics to Orthodox to Pentecostals to Fundamentalists.

Christians get this from the clear teaching of the Bible that there is one God, who exists in 3 persons.

Here are a few representative Scriptures:

“The Word [Jesus] was God.” (John 1:1)

“When they denied him, Jesus said, ‘If you knew me, you would know my Father also’” (John 8:19)

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV)

“Go therefore 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 ESV)

Some point out that the word “Trinity” is not in the Bible, which is true. But the concept is clearly taught in Scripture as explained in this excellent article on the Trinity.

02. While Christianity believes that Jesus is God, that belief is offensive to Judaism.

Jews proclaim in the great Shema, repeated morning and night by Jews since ancient times, “Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.”

To suggest to a Jew that Jesus is God is confounding, if not offensive.

What is ironic is that Jesus was a Jew. So Christians follow a Jew that Jews reject as the Messiah. They’re still awaiting the Messiah.

“He [Jesus] came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” (John 1:11-13 NLT)

Judaism rejects Jesus thus they reject the Godhead of Christianity, the Trinity, the 3 in 1. They worship the Father, but not the Son.

By their own statements, Jews worship a different God and even take offense to the God of Christians. Christians and Jews do NOT worship the same God.

Please understand that I’m not saying I like this—I’m just sharing the actual state of affairs. I’d much prefer that all Jews accepted the Messiah Jesus Christ (as thankfully some do.)

03. While Christianity believes that Jesus is God, that belief is reprehensible to Islam.

Muslims proclaim in the Shahada which they recite regularly: “There is no god but God. Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

“Recitation of the shahādah is the most common statement of faith for Muslims.”

For Muslims, suggesting that Jesus is God (the Son) is a violation of the first part of this proclamation and therefore an offense to Allah (God).

Many Muslims consider the belief that Jesus is God to be “more offensive than any other Christian belief.”

So do Christians and Muslims worship the same God? No, their own statements make it clear that that is an offensive suggestion.

And to deny the Son is a denial of the God of the Bible and its salvation: “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12 ESV)

Again, I’m not saying I like this, I’m just sharing the actual state of affairs.

My strong preference would be that all would worship the same God, the God of the Bible, the 3 in 1!

In conclusion, one of the biggest objections people have to the Trinity is that it is difficult to comprehend. The problem with this objection is that there are many things that are difficult to comprehend, yet that doesn’t make them untrue. For example:

• The vastness of the universe

• How the universe came into being

• Eternity

• The power of the sun

If there is anything that should be difficult to fully understand, it is the Almighty, including the Tri-unity of God!

For a helpful explanation of the Trinity, see my article “5 Keys That Help Unlock the Mystery of the Trinity.”

3 Reasons Christians Owe It To God To Vote

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Do Christians owe it to God to vote? My barber is a born again Christian. I enjoy talking with her about all kinds of things as she cuts my hair. We agree most of the time. But recently she mentioned that she doesn’t plan to vote in the upcoming election.

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When I asked why, she said that she didn’t feel her vote counted and the election in California wouldn’t go her way anyway. So why bother?

While I sympathize with her feelings, I couldn’t disagree more with her conclusion. The Bible teaches that Christians owe it to God to vote.

Perhaps you have some of the same concerns: maybe you feel that you don’t like the candidates, or you can protest by sitting out, or that our country is going down the drain anyways, or it is too hard to determine which candidates are good, or betrayed by those you’ve voted for in the past.

I sympathize with most of these objections. But despite these concerns, the Bible says Christians owe it to God to vote.

My barber is not alone. In recent elections in the USA, about 2 of every 5 of self-professed Christians took that right for granted and did not vote.

So here are 3 reasons Christians owe it to God to vote:

01. Scripture Tells us to Cooperate with a Government Which Asks us to Vote.

This passage is clear that we should do as the government requires:

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” (Romans 13:1-2 ESV)

The teaching here is clear on at least 2 points:

Governments, even bad ones, are permitted by God.We are to submit to the government.

The first verse of this passage begins: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” (Romans 13:1a ESV)

This was written at a time when there was great injustice inflicted by the Roman government. Perhaps you feel that your government is corrupt or unjust? That doesn’t change the teaching, just as it did not then.

Paying taxes is mentioned specifically: “For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans 13:6-7 ESV)

Which is harder to do, pay taxes or vote? If we should pay taxes, we should certainly register and vote if our government asks us to.

Thankfully here in the USA we can vote and our government asks us to vote. If you live elsewhere, I hope you have a similar privilege. Our government’s “Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities” site lists several responsibilities including:

• Stay informed of the issues affecting your community.

• Participate in the democratic process.

So this is God’s instruction and that should settle the issue. We owe it to God to vote.

However, I’d like to share two more important points that can encourage us to do as God has instructed.

02. Not to vote is to surrender to evil.

If Christians don’t vote, that leaves decisions to those who don’t care so much about biblical godliness, Christian morality. It means surrender.

Christians should never just give up! Scripture is clear on this in many places such as the following:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” (1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV)

“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14b-15 ESV)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV)

Press on! Run to win! Endure!

Nehemiah is a wonderful example of a civic leader who refused to simply surrender to the status quo or to evil.

Nehemiah was a government official who saw a civic problem, rolled up his sleeves and got to work fixing it. The problem was that the wall around the city of Jerusalem had been destroyed and was laying in rubble. Thus, God’s city was unprotected and disgraced.

Rather than just complaining, worrying, or throwing up his hands in despair, Nehemiah acted:

• First he fasted and prayed (see Nehemiah 1:4-11)

• Then he secured financial assistance from the king (see Nehemiah 2:1-8)

• Then he surveyed the project and recruited workers (see Nehemiah 2:9-20)

• Then he organized the workers and set about the task (see Nehemiah 3)

• Then he persevered when opposition threatened the project and the safety of the workers. (see Nehemiah 5)

The result was dramatic civic change: the wall was rebuilt with astonishing speed. Jerusalem was once again protected.

Yes, Nehemiah had a special calling. Not all are called to a leadership role as he was. But can’t all of us participate by at least becoming aware of the issues and candidates and voting?

A quote usually attributed to Edmund Burke says it well: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

At least vote and if you’re called to civic service follow God’s calling!

03. The excuses for not voting are hollow. 

The fact that God has told us to cooperate with the government and vote should be sufficient to motivate us.

But for further encouragement, here are answers to some of the objections raised about voting:

• “I cannot in good conscience support either candidate.” ANSWER: Don’t vote for either candidate in that particular office or write in one of your choice. Be sure to vote for good candidates in other offices.

• “I can protest bad government by sitting out the election.” ANSWER: Bad government comes from electing bad officials. Not voting for godly candidates allows poor candidates to be elected.

• “My vote doesn’t count.” ANSWER: It counts as much as anyone else’s. Just because you might not win doesn’t mean your vote won’t count. It is the majority that rules. Make your voice heard even if not on the winning side. Don’t just surrender (see point 2 above).

• “I feel betrayed by those I have voted for in the past.” ANSWER: If they are still in office, use your vote to help get them out of office!“I don’t know who to vote for. It’s too hard to figure out.” ANSWER: Find Christian voter guides. They tell you where candidates stand on issues and give guidance on referendums.

Christian voters guides can be found via a google search and are a huge help. Some outline local races as well as national. Here are a few suggestions:

• The Family Research Council voters guide

• The Wallbuilders voters guide

• The American Family Association voters guide

In conclusion, I agree with Got Questions which states that, “Candidates or proposals that violate the Bible’s commands for life, family, marriage, or faith should never be supported (Proverbs 14:34). Christians should vote as led through prayer and study of both God’s Word and the realities of the choices on the ballot.”

Please Christians, don’t surrender. Exercise your right and responsibility and vote!

How To Attain Christian Nobility

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As an American, I don’t know a lot about nobility, royalty or aristocracy. Apparently people are born into it: a duke, earl, count, marquis, baroness, upper caste, etc. Seems if you’re born a commoner, you’re out for life—there is no hope for higher status. But I do know that it’s possible to attain Christian nobility no matter what your birth status!

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What a fantastic truth! If you were born a commoner, a Dalit, rejected, insignificant, unwanted, despised and rejected, you can still become Christian nobility!

How? This Bible verse tells us: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11 NIV)

OK, I’m a little tongue in cheek about believers becoming “Christian nobility.” It’s not nobility in the sense that you get a castle, servants and so on.

But what this verse describes is a better kind of nobility—it’s nobility in God’s eyes! 

Aristocracy only lasts for a lifetime, but Christian nobility lasts for eternity! 

This verse tells us 2 ways to attain this kind of Christian nobility:

01. Receive God’s message with eagerness.

It says, “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness….” (Acts 17:11a NIV)

These Jews in the city of Berea were receiving the message of Christ for the first time. And they were eager to receive it.

But it doesn’t matter if we’ve heard God’s Word proclaimed a million times, we are Christian nobility when we receive it eagerly!

How do you receive God’s Word? Are you…

• happy?

• eager?

• excited?

Or alternatively, are you…

• grumpy? “Do I have to sit through another boring sermon?"

• critical? “He just told that same story last month.”

• skeptical? “I think this guy is just out to line his pockets.”

I’m not pointing any fingers. God knows there have been times when I have been less than eager to receive His Word.

And I’m not saying all preachers are perfect and we swallow everything they say—see point 2 below.

I’m just saying that Christian nobility can’t wait to see what God will reveal through His Word each day. 

Christian nobility means being eager to hear God’s instruction:

“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV)

 “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 NKJV)

02. Examine the Scriptures to see if what is being said is true, no matter who is teaching.

Notice this verse says that as Paul was preaching they “…examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11 NIV)

This is the second trait that was “of more noble character” and made the Bereans Christian nobility.

Please remember that they were examining the teachings of the great Apostle Paul—one of the most exceptional Christians of all time. He eventually, under inspiration of the Spirit, wrote a major portion of the books of the New Testament Scriptures.

Yet they are called “noble” because they examined the Old Testament Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true.

You might wonder how they could be honored for questioning the teaching of this incredible man. The answer is that Paul wasn’t a perfect person, just like any other teacher of God’s Word. Paul confessed repeatedly to struggling to be all that he should be. He even claimed to be the “chief of sinners.”

No matter who is preaching, they are flawed and can misinterpret the Bible. Of course this includes my own articles, podcasts and teaching.

So how do we know that what is being taught is true? We become Christian nobility—we search the Scriptures to see if what is being taught is true.

Too many believers don’t examine the Bible for themselves. They determine Truth by insufficient means. They believe…

• whatever their church teaches.

• whatever is the current consensus among Christians.

• whatever seems to be working.whatever some great leader says or teaches.

These approaches can lead to great disasters:

• In Nazi Germany most churches followed Hitler’s evil leadership.There have been horrible scandals in the papacy.

• The followers of Jim Jones drank the Koolaid.

• Today some churches want to approve of “gay marriage” although it is clearly against biblical teaching.

To be Christian nobility we must search the Scriptures to see if what is being taught, practiced or promoted is biblical. 

This is not just for some Christians; this is true for ALL Christians.

Some will object:

• “But I don’t have a theological education.” ANSWER: Theological education has misguided many away from biblical Truth. You might be better off without it. Just follow what the Bible clearly states.

• “But I’m a new believer.” ANSWER: The Bereans were just hearing the Gospel, yet they were noble to examine the Scriptures to see if these things were true.

• “But I don’t want to be rebellious.” ANSWER: If a teacher is teaching something contrary to the Bible, that teacher is rebellious towards God. You are not rebellious, HE IS!

• “But I don’t have the time to search the Scriptures.” ANSWER: Most Christians seem to have plenty of time to watch TV. Take 30 to 60 minutes a day from your TV time and search God’s Word!

Some time back a question of biblical policy came up in a ministry I was working with. One of the leaders said he determined his position on the matter according to what was working well in another country. There was no biblical study, just an attitude that if it works, let’s do it. My respect for that leader diminished. In addition, I later learned that what seemed to be working well elsewhere wasn’t actually working that well!

Other leaders have studied the issue and can explain their position biblically. Even though I might disagree with their conclusion, I respect their conclusion. Why? Because they were noble enough to study the Scripture.

Every believer must attain Christian nobility by studying God’s Word. Will you?  

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

How do we know we can trust the Bible? To answer that question please check out these resources on my site:

• 4 Reasons You Can Love and Trust the Bible Today

• How Digging in the Dirt Proves the Bible is Reliable

• Four Powerful Proofs Jesus Lives  Have You Written Your Own Bible?

• Beware of Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

• Podcast: Where do dinosaurs fit in the Bible?

• Podcast: How do we know we have the right books in the Bible?

• Podcast: Why do some Bible versions omit certain verses?