Forgiveness

[*Hana*]

Peace POBook:

First, let me apologize for all my spelling mistakes in my last post. lool I was running out the door and was typing very fast. :-[

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean by "payment of sin" compared to absorbing your sin?

The fact is, as Jesus, pbuh, Himself said, no one can pay for the sins of others. So regardless of the words used the end result is the same. You will be judged only by what YOU do or don't do.

Please don't misunderstand what I meant about sinning, repenting, sinning, etc. I never meant that Christians want to sin. I think most people don't want that. However, the Christian believes that their strong faith in Jesus, pbuh, is enough to get them into Heaven. It leaves the door wide open for making excuses or dismissing sin. Whereas in Islam, there is no free or easy "ticket" to paradise and the doors are not open to excuses or dismissing sins. If you commit them, you own them.

Having strong faith and showing up at the Mosque 5 times a day for prayer and doing nothing else, while sinning in between, will not necessarily be enough. We can see a seemingly pious person praying faithfully, giving to charity, etc., but we don't know their heart, their sins, what he asked forgiveness for and what Allah, swt, has forgiven. The fact is, we will not know who will enter Paradise. This is only known by Allah, swt. The best we can do is live by what He commands us and knowing on the Day of Judgement, we will all answer for our deeds....good and bad.

Who is actually "worthy" of paradise? What makes one "worthy" over another. We can't possibly know that because we don't have access to all the knowledge necessary to determine that.

But, be sure of one thing, no one except you alone. will answer for your sins on that day.

Peace,
Hana

 

[POBook]

Salam Hana_Aku,

First, let me apologize for all my spelling mistakes in my last post. lool I was running out the door and was typing very fast.

No problem at all.

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean by "payment of sin" compared to absorbing your sin?

I might be a little picky here, but to me a correct understanding is important. To absorb my sin suggests that Jesus took my sin away from me. He did not take the sin away--I still make mistakes; I still commit sins--not intentionally--but I'm a human being in the flesh. What Jesus absorbed was the penalty of my transgression against GOD. He took my place so that I did not have to deal with the consequences of my transgression.

The fact is, as Jesus, pbuh, Himself said, no one can pay for the sins of others.

In Matthew 26:27-28 we read, "Then Jesus took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to His disciples, saying, 'Drink from it all of you. This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" You see, the old covenant between between GOD and the Jews was that of animal scarifices. Because of sin, sacrifices needed to be made. But we must understand that the old covenant of animal sacrifices was put in place to pave the way to the new covenant. Animal sacrifices were simply not good enough to cover the cost of people's sin. That is why GOD came to this earth in the form of Jesus Christ. He was getting ready to be sacrificed on the cross; to have His life and blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Please understand that when Jesus referred to the cup as His blood, it was not his physical blood. He had not yet been crucified. It was simply red wine, a symbol of His blood. People were being encouraged to remember the sacrifice Jesus paid on the cross for their sins.

However, the Christian believes that their strong faith in Jesus, pbuh, is enough to get them into Heaven.

Let me say that many times--in fact most of the time--our faith is very, very weak. If relying on my faith got me to heaven, I would be in serious trouble. In Matthew 17:19-20 we read, "Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, 'Why couldn't we drive the demon out?' Jesus replied, 'Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'" Jesus was trying to point out just how weak our faith is. Strong or weak faith does not get me to heaven or keep me from heaven.

It leaves the door wide open for making excuses or dismissing sin

You are very right. Unfortunately many people try living life like this. But this is not true Christianity. In Christianity, their is a real change of heart. Our number one desire is to please GOD and live in obedience to Him--not because we are afraid we might be punished, but because we truly love Him and have given our hearts and our lives to Him.

Whereas in Islam, there is no free or easy "ticket" to paradise and the doors are not open to excuses or dismissing sins. If you commit them, you own them

May I exhort you to think carefully about this--and I say this with respect, please know that: In Islam there is no free or easy ticket to paradise. If you commit sins, you own the. In Christianity, there is the free gift of eternal life in paradise offered. You do not have to earn it and work hard for it. You do not have to have your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds. You do not have to live with the uncertainty of where you will spend eternity. In Christianity, GOD Himself came to this earth and payed the penalty for our transgression. He has forgiven all people of all sins they ever committed, commit, or ever will commit. He has the right to offer this forgiveness to us as a gift. We simply have to accept it. He took ownership of our transgression and cast them from Himself as far as the East is from the west. What a mighty, awesome, and loving GOD!!

But, be sure of one thing, no one except you alone. will answer for your sins on that day

Through His wonderful love for me, Jesus already answered for my sins.

Thank you again for your feedback. I want to respect you and your beliefs, so I hope a I share in a respectful manner

 

[M H Kahn]

Forgiveness is for the righteous:

Forgiveness is for the righteous who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Books and the Prophets, and spend wealth out of love for Him on relatives, orphans, helpless, needy travelers, those who ask for and on the redemption of captives; and establish Salah (prayers), pay Zakah (alms), fulfill promises when made, be steadfast in distress, in adversity, and at the time of war. These people are the truthful and these are the pious.[2:177]

:hiding:

 

[POBook]

Greetings M H Kahn,

Forgiveness is for the righteous:

What is there to forgive in righteous people:? ? If righteous people are righteous, surely there is nothing to forgive!? What if you do not do all the things listed in Sura 2:177?

Sincerely,

 

[M H Kahn]

A human being is likely to commit minor sins and sometimes even greater sins unwillingly or at the instigation of the Satan even if he is righteous. As defined in the Quran, the righteous believe in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Books and the Prophets, and spend wealth out of love for Him on relatives, orphans, helpless, needy travelers, those who ask for and on the redemption of captives; and establish Salah, pay Zakah, fulfill promises when made, be steadfast in distress, in adversity, and at the time of war. You would now perceive that even the righteous may commit sins and if they repent and seek forgiveness of Allah, they are likely to be forgiven.

You may also look in the Quran:

** If you shun the great sins which you are forbidden, We will do away with your small sins and cause you to enter an honorable place of entering.[4:31]

** Call on your Rabb with humility and in private;for He does not love the transgressors. [7:55]

** Pray to Him with fear and hope. Surely the mercy of Allah is always close to those who do good to others.[7:56]

** Whatsoever good ye send before you for your souls, ye will find it with Allah, better and greater in the recompense. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.[73:20]

You would perceive that every human needs Allah's mercy and forgiveness.

 

[POBook]

Greetings M H Kahn,

Thanks for your response

You would now perceive that even the righteous may commit sins and if they repent and seek forgiveness of Allah,

What does Allah do to righteous people who continue to commit sins and seek his forgiveness? How long will Allah keep doing this?

they are likely to be forgiven.

To say they are "likely" forgiven suggests that the offender or sinner cannot be 100% sure that he or she is forgiven; they their is no 100% guarantee of forgiveness. Am I right?

You may also look in the Quran:

** If you shun the great sins which you are forbidden, We will do away with your small sins and cause you to enter an honorable place of entering.[4:31]

Does this mean that it's OK to do lots of small sins?

Sincerely,