c. True Religion: Fanaticism or Passion?

When Saul was zealously pursuing the murder of Christians, needless to say he was not pleasing God. On the contrary, he was doing those things which deserve the wrath of God. Again God, the creator and sustainer of all life, has clearly decreed that we must not commit murder. Even today, when men try to justify murder on the so-called religious grounds, they are seriously deceived. God will surely not reward wickedness, nor will he be mocked for everyone must give an account both of the deeds done in the flesh and of every idle word at the judgment throne of the Isa al-Maseeh in the Last Day. The spirit of fanaticism is distinctly different from the spirit of passionate love for God. It counterfeit devotion. Passion for God on the other hand always has God and his glory as its object. Its fruit is peace, joy, righteousness and love. It glorifies God. It is the response of one who knows he is a sinner worthy only of wrath to a God who is infinitely good, and merciful to those who seek him in humility and repentance. It is based on truth, not deception. Saul, now renamed Paul by God, became passionate for God after he encountered the Lord Isa al-Maseeh on the road to Damascus. Though he justly deserved wrath for murdering God's people, God delt with him not according to his deeds, but out of his own mercy and grace.

For us as well as for Paul, knowing Isa al-Maseeh is necessary in order to know and love the Father because Isa said, "I am the way and the truth and the life; no one can come to the Father but by me" (John [Injil] 14:6). Those who fail to honor the Son also fail to honor the Father who sent him. Isa is the only person who ever lived who perfectly practiced and enjoyed true islam. He alone submitted perfectly to his Father; every other human being is a sinner. And since we can only impart what we possess, he alone can give us this true islam. Furthermore, it is only by his blood that the penalty for our sins is paid so we may be reconciled with God and thus come into a right relationship with him.
Paul's transformation was similar to that of Job: "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes" (Job [before the Zabur] 42:5,6).