The Qur'an, the scripture of Islam, states that God is merciful and compassionate. But Christians who read the Qur'an are surprised at how often the Qur'an speaks of hell. Many Muslims are afraid of Allah and are fearful of hell and the tortures the Qur'an describes for the inmates of the fire. We can bring them knowledge of peace with God through Christ.

The strength of God's law

Before we discuss God's mercy, we may need to discuss God's law with Muslims. Islam views the last judgment as good actions weighed against evil actions. They believe they must work hard to earn reward. Because nobody knows exactly how much is required to earn paradise, Islam does not give any reassurance that someone has done enough.

At first, what we say may sound terrifying: even if our life is more good than evil, this still is not pure enough to be acceptable to God. God commands: "Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." Our life with its spots and blemishes is not acceptable to God. Be truthful about that.

Because Islam places value on rituals of washing and praying, many of the things Jesus said to the Pharisees strike home with Muslims. God does not desire only clean hands, prayer, and fasting; he desires a pure heart. A pure heart does not desire the impure. God commands that we love him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus said these were the most important commandments. Jesus also said, "Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect." If we count on fulfilling God's law, that is false hope.

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness," (1 John 1:8,9). This is good news. We do not trust our own goodness, but God's goodness. In his goodness, we have reason for real hope.

Christ, our mediator

If we bring our lives before God, his law condemns us. It is no defense before God if we say that we were good sometimes. No court of law will pardon you for theft because you have never murdered, or will acquit you for murder because you are not an adulterer. Any sin is also idolatry, putting our own desires above God. We have a great burden of sin. Islam teaches that no sinful person can carry the burden of another; the Bible teaches this also.

But Jesus was not sinful. He was fully innocent. Though he was innocent, he willingly accepted the terrible punishment that was reserved for the most severe crimes. He did this for us, bearing our burden of sin. God has accepted him as a mediator for us. God has accepted what Christ has done for us, and in return has given us the blessings only Christ has deserved.

Anne Kim is a programmer/analyst who enjoys spreading the good news of Christ and answering questions about Christianity and the Bible.