Salvation is the act of being freed from the bondage of sin. Almost every religion tries to find the way of salvation. The Quran and the Injil present different views of how a person can receive salvation. Let’s look at some steps we need to take if we are to experience salvation from the eternal punishment caused by sin.
First – Look for the Straight Path
First – Look for the Straight PathClearly a straight path is better for a traveler than a path that is winding. So also is the case for a person who wants to be saved. He needs to find the straight path. “Show us the straight path” (Qs 1:6).
Where can we find the “straight path”? “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you’” (Zabur 32:8).
Second – Know the Person of Isa Al-Masih (Jesus Christ)
Why must we know Isa Al-Masih? Why not Muhammad, Moses, or some other prophet? When we search the Quran, there are many verses about Isa Al-Masih. The Quran also gives Him titles it does not give to any other person.
The Quran testifies that only Isa Al-Masih was born of a virgin (Qs 19:16-34). He is called “a holy son” (Qs 19:19). He is given the title “Word of God” (Qs 3:45; Injil, John 1:1). Isa is the Glorious One and the One who was long prophesied as The Messiah (Al-Masih) (Qs 4:171: Injil, Luke 24:25-27).
Only Isa Al-Masih is given the honor as “foremost in the world and in the hereafter” (Qs 3:45). He was sent from God to become “a sign for mankind and as a mercy from Us” (Qs 19:21).
Isa Al-Masih is the only prophet who is, without a doubt, in Heaven (Qs 3:55; Injil, Acts 1:9-11). He will return from Heaven as the Judge on Judgment Day (Qs 43:69; Injil, Revelation 1:5-8).
Thus, both the Quran and the New Testament emphasize the superiority of the person of Isa Al-Masih. For a person who wants to discover the “Straight Path,” he must know more about the person of Isa Al-Masih.
Third – Pay Attention To the Contents Of The Gospel
A person who truly desires to discover the “Straight Path” needs to pay attention to the content of the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News that Isa Al-Masih brought to the world.
Qs 10:94 says, “But if you (Muhammad) are in doubt as to what We have revealed to you, ask those who read the Book before you; Certainly the truth has come to you from you Lord, therefore you should not be of the disputers.”
” . . . We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us. . . .Isa (Al Masih). . .” (Qs 3:84).
“…That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (Injil, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body, but made alive by the Spirit” (Injil, 1 Peter 3:18).
Fourth – Believe in the Character of God r-Rahmani r-Rahim (Most Compassionate and Most Merciful)
Al-Fatihah (the Opening) gives the most dominant characteristic of God, that is “In the Name of God, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful” (Qs 1:1).
A person who truly desires to receive Salvation must understand that God is the Most Merciful One. God desires to bring mankind back to a relationship with Himself. This can only happen by the coming of His Word to the world as a sign for mankind.
“. . .your Lord says: It is easy to Me: and that We may make Him (Isa Al-Masih) a sign to men and a mercy from Us, and it is a matter which has been decreed. . .” (Qs 19:21).
The model of God’s love has been made clear in the person of Isa Al-Masih because, “He (Isa Al-Masih) saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Injil, Titus 3:5).
Fifth – Understand the Meaning of the Sacrifice of Abraham’s Son
At every celebration of Idul Adha, Muslims give a sacrifice. This sacrifice has great significance! A person who really desires to discover the “Straight Path” needs to know the significance of the sacrifice of Ibrahim’s son.
“. . . Ibrahim said: ‘O my son, I really saw in a dream that I (should) sacrifice you. So think about it. What is your opinion?’ He answered, ‘O my father, do whatever has been commanded to you. . .’ Then both of them surrendered themselves and Ibrahim laid his son on his altar . . . (God) called him, ‘O Ibrahim, truly you have fulfilled that dream . . . and We redeem your son with the offering (of a goat) that is big (great, noble)’” (Qs 102 – 107).
Is there a connection between the sacrifice of Abraham and Isa Al-Masih? The Prophet John the Baptist said, “Look, the Lamb of God (Isa Al-Masih) who takes away the sin of the world” (Injil, John 1:29)! Isa Al-Masih came into the world to become the redemption for every person (Injil, Matthew 20:28).
Isa Al-Masih sacrificed Himself to carry the sins of mankind (Injil, Hebrews 9:28). He took man’s sin upon Himself on the cross (Injil, 1 Peter 2:24). He died once for every sin of mankind (Injil, Letter of 1 Peter 3:18).
Isa Al-Masih was the Eid sacrifice that God gave as an exchange judgment for mankind. Through Him, mankind can receive forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation.
Sixth – Pray and Surrender Every Sin to God’s Sacrifice (Isa Al-Masih)
Sixth – Pray and Surrender Every Sin to God’s Sacrifice (Isa Al-Masih)The final thing that must be done is to fully believe in the sacrifice of Isa Al-Masih on the cross. Reverently pray to Him and ask Him to forgive your sins. Confess your sins to God. Promise to turn away from these sins.
Ask Isa Al-Masih to cleanse you from your sins with His blood that was shed on the cross. The Injil says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (Injil, 1 John 1:9).
In prayer, truly confess that you receive Isa Al-Masih as your only Savior. “Jesus (Isa) answered, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'” (Injil, John 14:6).
Ask Him to give you eternal life. “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (Injil, John 10:28).
When you do the six things listed above, and pray with sincerity to God in Isa Al-Masih, we are sure you will discover what you have been looking for: “the Straight Path,” that is, the “Path of Salvation.”
Here is a prayer for Salvation: Father in heaven, I know that I am a sinner, and that my sin has separated me from you. I believe that Isa Al-Masih came down from heaven to save us. I believe that he was sacrificed as an object of the law of God to bear our sins. Father, I accept Isa Al-Masih as my Lord and Savior. I receive eternal salvation as it is given by God through the sacrifice of Isa Al-Masih.
[We invite you to visit us at https://www.isaandislam.com/way-of-salvation to learn more about God’s gift of Salvation. God loves you and waits to hear from you. Isa Al-Masih said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).]
