When the problem of sin haunts our lives can we really do anything to be able to come out of the trap of sin? In fact it is seen that our own effort cannot help in this.

We must turn to God’s help and solution in this. In Lesson-Three we can learn about this in details. The truth is that “we are unable to Dave ourselves from the dilema of sin and death.” We cannot save ourselves from sins by means of any good work just as one cannot expect sweet water from the spring of bitter water. Many think that ‘good work’ or ‘good life’ can save us from sin. There are many verses in both the Quran and the Bible on the teaching about ‘salvation by good work.’ which do not confirm with one another.

Prophetic Books

Proverbs 14 : 12 : There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Al-Zabur  (Psalm)

Chapter 125 verse 5 : As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, The LORD shall lead them away. With the workers of iniquity.

Al-Injeel

Titus 3 : 4-5 : But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, ⁵ not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Al- Quran

Surah 6. Al-An’am (Cattle, Livestock) 70 verse: Leave alone those who take their religion to be mere play and amusement, and are deceived by the life of this world. But proclaim (to them) this (truth): that every soul delivers itself to ruin by its own acts: it will find for itself no protector or intercessor except Allah. if it offered every ransom, (or reparation), none will be accepted: such is (the end of) those who deliver themselves to ruin by their own acts: they will have for drink (only) boiling water, and for punishment, one most grievous: for they persisted in rejecting Allah.

People usually want to neutralize their sinful actions by doing good works. Her good works include observing religious laws, philanthropic works, serving the people, etc. By doing these they would try to cover their bad deeds or sinful activities. But people do not consider that truth that even though they are sinners it is only ‘righteousness’, which can help them turn away from unholy life. However, one needs to remember that this ‘righteousness’ of one’s own is not good to achieve him holiness. Prophetic books: Isaiah 64: 6 “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.”

Once a man became very hopeless and remorseful for sinful life and he decided to get some advices from his friend, who was a righteous man. He came to his friend and told him about his guilt feeling, hopelessness and fear and that all these experiences were haunting his life every moment. He asked his friend about how to be free from such torment and about what to do for attaining peace and happiness in his mind.

Before answering him, his friend ordered his servant to bring his tired visiting friend a glass of water. The servant brought the water. But he immediately took the glass before the visiting friend could drink and put a few drops of ink into the water. The water in the glass instantly turned black. The visiting friend said, “What have you done?”

The host replied, “I am just giving a response to your queries”. He said further, “you could not drink the water because I have spoilt it by giving in it a few drops of ink. But you wish that your good works are accepted before true and holy God even after you’ve tarnished your heart and mind by sins.

The other man understood this teaching and immediately turned to God and prayed that God might grant him forgiveness for his sins. He realized that the punishment for sin was severe. And he then started to look for the Good News of salvation from sin.

We know that no good work of a sinner is acceptable before God. Man cannot please God by any good work. But he has to trust on God and on what He has asked him to do. To be humble before God and live in allegiance to Him will be an important step. Let us now we look into what the Quran and The Bible say about the solution to the sin issue.

Al-Torah

Genesis 15 :6 :  And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

Prophetic Books

2 Chronicles 20 : 20  : … Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.

Habakkuk 2 : 4  :  But  the (Righteous person) just shall live by his faith.

Al-Zabur  (Psalm)

Chapter 13 verse 5 : But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

Chapter 32 verse 1 : Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.

Chapter 85 verse 7-9 : Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation. …. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.

Al-Injeel

Romans 14 : 23  : for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Ephesians 2 : 8 – 9  : For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Hebrews 11 : 6 :  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Al- Quran

Surah 23. Al-Muminun (The Believers) 109 verse:  “A part of My servants there was, who used to pray ‘our Lord! we believe; then do Thou forgive us, and have mercy upon us: For Thou art the Best of those who show mercy!”

The main teaching from Sura Muminum 109 verse is that there were some people, who had understood that they must submit themselves before Gods grace. This is because it is not enough to depend on one’s own work to receive God’s grace. For this it is further told in  Sura An’am 54 verse: When those come to thee who believe in Our signs, Say: “Peace be on you: Your Lord hath inscribed for Himself (the rule of) mercy: verily, if any of you did evil in ignorance, and thereafter repented, and amend (his conduct), lo! He is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful.

Therefore, we need to remember that according to the teaching from the aforementioned verses one can receive pardon by having faith in God and in His mercy or grace.

Surah 47. Muhammad (Muhammad) 19 verse: Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy fault, and for the men and women who believe: for Allah knows how ye move about and how ye dwell in your homes.

It is clear from this Quranic verse that none will be immune from the need of forgiveness. Not even the Prophets or God’s messengers.

Surah 2. Al-Baqara (The Cow) 256 – 257 verses:  Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.

Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the evil ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (For ever).

We can also understand from the verses quoted above that nobody could be forced to come before God. We ourselves on our own have to take the decision as to whether we will follow God’s way or not? He who resolves to have faith in God is one who has vowed to ‘hold the handle tight.’ God Himself is our redeemer- and the redemption is not due to any good work done on our part. God himself is your and my savior. He brings us out of darkness in His wonderful light.

Surah 3. Al ‘Imran (The Family Of ‘Imran, The House Of ‘Imran) 193 verse : “Our Lord! we have heard the call of one calling (Us) to Faith, ‘Believe ye in the Lord,’ and we have believed. Our Lord! Forgive us our sins, blot out from us our iniquities, and take to Thyself our souls in the company of the righteous.

It is very clearly said in this verse, “we can receive pardon for our sins – both past and present- through faith.” If you are asked the question, how many times have you tires to change your sinful life or leave one of your bad habits? We know that you and I myself are all sinners. But many sinners have received God’s pardon for their sins because of His grace and interference in their lives. Do you like to be one such parson?

In the next lesson we will discuss the issue- “How to receive forgiveness.” Before we do that please fill up the annexed Questionnaire and then send it back by clicking Submit button after answering the questions. So far you have successfully completed Lesson-Three. We believe that you have been able to learn many things, which have enriched your spiritual life. May God bless you richly to follow His Word. Amen.