Once An Arafat Man (John 14:6)

What is the cost of your faith for Jesus Christ?

I have just finished reading the autobiography of Tass Sada, entitled, Once An Arafat Man-The True Story of How a PLO Sniper Found a New Life.

There are few books that have so moved me that I literally could not put it down once I began reading it. This was one of them. From the first page introducing us to his life as a sniper with the PLO to the last chapter outlining the steps it will take to bring reconciliation to the middle east, Tass’ story is of a man dedicated to living life by fatih.

His own immediate conversion was through a vision that occurred on May 14, 1993. A light came into his life and he heard the light speak these words.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

At that time, Tass did not know the words came from the Bible. All he knew was that Jesus the Christ was speaking directly to him. This was the verse that seared his soul and led him to commit his life to Jesus the Christ.

I am humbled and inspired by the story of Tass. Everything he did, every situation he found himself in, he relied upon his faith in God. Returning home to face his family for the first time in over a decade after he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, his brother met him at the airport, already telling him in advance he would kill him as an infidel because Tass had turned his back upon their Muslim faith. He met with his former boss and employer, Yasser Arafat, and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to him. Overcoming situations that the world would have us believe are hopeless and foolhardy, Tass convincingly lives a life that is completely dependent upon his faith in redeeming power of Jesus Christ.

As I read the book, the defining verse from the Bible that summarizes Tass’ life is…

..for we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

For some of us, we find ourselves unwilling to do the unthinkable, to forgive the unforgivable, or dream the impossible. By our own efforts it is futile. But God has taken the step to reconcile our lost souls with Him. If we confess our sins, repent, and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and welcome us as His children. And with God at our side, nothing is impossible, even forgiving a former PLO sniper and bringing him full circle to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Muslim leader of a Palestinian liberation group.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.