When you love the Muslims around you by treating them like family and helping those who need help, they will come to know you more and perhaps even wonder what makes you so loving. When they see you loving the Lord your God with all that you are, they will have their answer. Do not be afraid to love Jesus openly and to engage in conversation, especially after your friends know you love them.

Nabeel Qureshi (@NAQureshi) is a former devout Muslim who was convinced of the truth of the gospel through historical reasoning and a spiritual search for God. His focus is on the foundations of the Christian faith and the early history and teachings of Islam. He is the author of Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity. Learn more about Nabeel at his site.

Today we talk with Nabeel about superficial Christianity, dreams and visions, and authentic friendship.

1) You grew up in a loving American-Muslim home. How did your childhood compare with your Christian friends?

Honestly, almost all of my Christian friends seemed to be Christian in name only. They went to church and said they were Christian, but that was about it. Most of them were never able to answer my questions about Christianity, whereas I have been taught the details about my faith and how to defend it. I felt that I was truly Muslim in my identity, whereas most of my Christian friends did not really embody their faith.

2) One friendship, and the conversations about religion that happened in that friendship, changed your life. Tell us how you became friends with David.

I used to engage regularly in conversations with Christians because each time I did so, I was confirmed in my Islamic faith. I enjoyed engaging them, both to invite them to what I thought was the truth, and to reveal Christianity as the obvious falsehood I was taught it was. When I met my friend David, everything changed. He was able to defend his faith, and as someone who was strong in his beliefs, I felt a bond with him and we became friends.

3) What finally drove you to a point of decision between Islam and Christianity? What was holding you back—and what finally drove you forward?

The first thing that had to happen was that someone had to show me the truth about Christianity.

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