The Mercy of God

We read in the Koran that Allah called Jesus; “A sign unto men and a Mercy from us.” (Mary, 19;21). Muhammad is also called a “mercy” in the Koran. “We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Prophets 21;107).

 We have recognized that the inspiration of Muhammad differs essentially from that of Christ; likewise, the meaning and content of mercy in those two men differ fundamentally.

 The Angel Gabriel is supposed to have dictated the Koran to Muhammad. Christ did not need the agency of an angel, for He Himself was the incarnation of the eternal Word of God (Ayotollah). Just as the difference between the inspiration of the Gospel and that of the Koran is vast, so too is the difference between the mercy of Christ and Muhammad unbridgeable. The inspiration to Muhammad can be found in the verses of the Koran, in his tens of thousands of declarations in the Hadith (Islamic Traditions), and in the practical ways of his daily conduct (al-Sunna). These sources were united and complied

Into Islamic Law (Sharia), consisting of commands and prohibitions. This Law organizes all facts of the life of a Muslim, including daily prayer, with the obligatory washing beforehand, fasting in Ramadan, religious taxes, pilgrimage and even circumcision and burial. The Sharia covers also the family order, inheritance, contracts, holy war and severe punishments. The life of a Muslim is governed by Islamic Law which, according to Islamic theology, is the final manifestation of the mercy of God to the Muslims.

 The Gospel (Good News) warns us that no man can be justified by observing the Law, for not a single person can fulfil all its demands precisely. Even Islamic Law is constantly violated by the Muslims. Million have neglected the command to pray five times each day; other millions did not consistently practised fasting during Ramadan; others did not give the total amount of the religious tax they were obligated to pay; and most do not complete their pilgrimage without mistakes. Moreover, how many times does a man sin against his wife and children, and how many times has a business contract been broken by fraud; how often have the lips of a person uttered lies? There has not been one single man that has not been stained and polluted with pride, grudges, hatred and inner filth. The Law of God condemns everyone in his deeds, words and intentions. The final aim of the Law is the judgment of every sinful man for his failures, his guilt and his corruption. Yes, the Law of Muhammad organized the Islamic people, as the Law of Moses centred the lives of the children of Abraham on God and His Word. The Law demands full surrender and complete submission to the Creator. No Law can justify the sinner, nor can it set the guilty free. The Law was given to judge the transgressor and destroy him. Because of the Law, the destination of everyone is hell. The Law is the just judge. No human is able to satisfy it.

 Every religious-minded person hopes and aspires to receive the forgiveness of God. The Muslim thinks that; “The good deeds will drive away the evil deeds.” (Hood 11;114; Angels 35;29-30).

 But according to Islam, no Muslim can be sure of the forgiveness of his sins until the Judgment Day. Their Law does not offer a substitute sacrifice, nor does it present free salvation to them. Every Muslim will receive his exact wages on Judgment Day, when all his iniquities and complete failure is then uncovered. The Law shall finally condemn its followers. Muhammad admitted that all his followers will definitely enter hell; “We shall gather them, and the devils, then we shall bring them around hell on their knees...there is not one of you, but he shall come into it; that was upon your Lord a determined decree.” (Mary 19;68-71). “To that end He created them. And the word of your Lord will be executed; ‘I shall surely fill hell with spirits (jinn) and men all together.” (Hood 11;119-120).

 I admit that all Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims are real sinners by nature. No human is good, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3;23).

 Christ alone lived according to the Law and demanded that we should fulfil the commandment of His love too. However ultimate goal was not to establish Law that will condemn mankind but to declare the grace of God to all sinners and to justify them freely. Christ lived what He taught and He Himself completed the Law providing that He was worthy to be the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world(John1;29).

 Seven hundred years before Christ, Isaiah the Prophet prophesied that one would come as our substitute, suffering under the judgment of God in our place. (Isaiah 53;4-6).

Christ saves His followers from the curse of the Law and frees them from the judgment of the Last Day. He justifies those who receive Him and believe in Him. Surely He has reconciled God with men and granted them eternal peace. The Apostle Paul urges us to accept this spiritual privilege, writing; “Be reconciled with God, for He made Him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2nd. Corn; 5;20-21).