Shining God’s Light on the Koran re: Salvation

Sam continues his on-going series which contrasts the Judeo-Christian Bible with the Islamic Koran on a variety of topics. He aims the beam of the Biblical laser on the Koran to expose, to reveal what it really says. See his previous articles here.


Salvation

“Hell,” an often used word, is a place of fiery torment where the damned go upon death. These people will one day be judged by God and then thrown into the Lake of Fire to burn in torment forever. This is the Christian perspective from scripture (1).

The Koran describes hell as an evil resting place (2) in which a person is subjected to scalding water and fire all around them (3).

Neither of the descriptions of hell from scripture or in the Koran is appealing to me. Still, I have met people who plan to go there. To have a way of escaping from this place, “hell,” and then to actually escape “it” is what it means to be saved.

Both the Scripture and the Koran refer to being saved. However, they differ on how one can be saved. Unfortunately for some people or fortunately for others, only one way of salvation is correct. A wrong course or choice is less than undesirable.

THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

But God will deliver those who fear Him, for they have earned salvation. Harm shall not touch them, nor shall they ever grieve (4).

Such is the Paradise you shall inherit by virtue of your good deeds. Your sustenance shall be abundant fruit (5).

Then he whose good deeds weigh heavy in the scales shall dwell in bliss; but he whose deeds are light, the Abyss shall be his home (6).

COMMENTARY ON THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

In the Koran we read that a person earns their salvation by their good deeds. Good deeds are to be weighed over against ones bad deeds providing more weight to the good side of the scales for salvation. Who knows the weight of one’s deeds whether good or bad? What is the weight value of each deed committed? Is it possible to do more good than evil? Why doesn’t this work in Sharia Law or honor killing? Muslims do not conduct themselves this way in this life. Why should they think the god of Islam will conduct himself this way in the after life? How can a person keep score in order to know if he is saved, or lost? Can anyone have assurance of being saved or does one always wonder, afraid of the unknown?

THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

The jailer called for a light, rushed in, and fell trembling at the feet of (the apostle) Paul and Silas. Then he led them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved: you and your family.” Then they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in the house. At that very hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; and he and all his family were baptized at once. Then he took Paul and Silas up into his house and gave them some food to eat. He and his family were filled with joy, because they now believed in God (7).

But Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (8)

He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. He gave us this grace by means of Christ Jesus before the beginning of time (9).

For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (10).

COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

Scripture is quite clear that it is through faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved from the wrath of God to come. Salvation is not something anyone can earn. If it were something to be earned, then people could brag about how good they were. God wants humility not pride in people. God had this all figured out before the creation started. God extends His grace to all people and only those who exercise their faith in Jesus are saved. Until a person believes in Jesus they do not believe in God.

This is shown by the account of the jailer. First, he believes and is saved through faith then he does good works. His good works are the result of his getting or being saved in the first place. Once the jailer believed in Jesus and was saved, he is then considered in Scripture to believe in God.

The people knew when they were saved. They were quite happy when it happened.

Salvation is a gift to you from God which He paid for by the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. You must accept it by faith.

COMPARING & CONTRASTING THE KORAN WITH SCRIPTURE

In the Koran salvation is earned by each individual. There has to be enough good work in your life to out weigh the bad deeds you did in your life. In Scripture salvation is not earned by you, but is a gift from God to you, which you must receive by faith in Jesus. Otherwise you could boast about it.

CONCLUSION

Which situation do you prefer, or which course do you choose to take in your life? On the one hand, you can choose to work for your salvation and never knowing for sure if you are saved. Or the other option, you can choose to accept the free gift, free to you, from God and knowing for sure that you are saved now. If you desire the free gift you can ask Jesus into your heart today. A sample prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me of my sin and come into my heart.”

The Plan of Salvation

REFERENCES

1. The Holy Bible Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:13-15
2. The Koran Page 31 Paragraph 2:206
3. The Koran Page 333 Paragraph 40:70
4. The Koran Page 326 Paragraph 39:62
5. The Koran Page 347 Paragraph 43:72
6. The Koran Page 431 Paragraph 101:5
7. The Holy Bible Acts 16:29-34 TEV
8. The Holy Bible Luke 7:50 TEV
9. The Holy Bible II Timothy 1:9 TEV
10. The Holy Bible Ephesians 2:8,9