Quoted from the "ISLAM REVEALED"

THE CRUCIFIXION: FACT OR FICTION

THE NECESSITY OF THE CROSS

 All men are in desperate need of salvation.  The reason is revealed in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  sin is found in every human heart.
 Isaiah 53:6 tells us the truth of our state of affairs:

 In 1 John 1:8-10, the nature of sin is acknowledged clearly:  The awareness that repentance alone cannot remove the debt of past sins is in the heart of every man everywhere.  Our Muslim friends declare that their salvation is by works and repentance from sin.  However, the fact is there must be a more effective means of obtaining forgiveness than just that.  The good acts of sinful men do not change the men’s inner sinful nature--only their outward appearances.  There must be atonement.  A sinless sacrifice must be presented to a just God.
 "The payment for sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).  Hebrews 9:22 affirms, "And according to the law almost all things are purged with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission."
 Sin is an insult tot he name of God and destructive to man, who is created in the image of God.  Therefore, sinful man deserves just judgment.
 God can never be just unless He punishes the sinner.  Repentance, which is but merely the return to the place of obedience, cannot bring the justification sought for the sins committed.  In other words, if a murderer tells the court that he is sorry for his terrible deed, such a confession does not mean that he goes free.  The court will still give him a sentence of death or life-imprisonment, as his payment for his disobedience.  There is nothing of atonement in confession and repentance.  Atonement for past sins is necessary because the honor, justice, holiness, and righteousness of God cannot be satisfied by mere repentance.  Who is going to pay for our sins?  How can we resolve the sin problem?
 The blessing for all humanity is that this atonement of Christ covers all kinds of people, not just Jewish people.  he came for the Jew, the Gentile, and the Muslim.  Romans 3:29-30 promises, Through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, salvation comes to all who believe, and become spiritual children of Abraham:  Summary
Humans, in spite of their downfall into sin, have not totally lost their consciences.  This small power which remains in us can discern right from wrong and understand punishment and reward.  This power is an echo of the grace of God, who created our consciences.  However, this power, important as it is, cannot save us from judgment.  It can influence our leanings toward or away from sin, but it cannot justify us or loose us from sin’s bondage.
 The Law cannot justify the sinner either.  According to Paul, the Law leads us to Christ Jesus, because there is no other way to salvation.  But with all the importance of this truth, most people attempt to solve the problem of conscience by doing works of self-righteousness.  Seemingly, many think that good works are comparable with earning the mercy of God.  But the Old Testament says that our good works are nothing more than filthy, dirty rags.  In the New Testament, we are challenged to recognize that salvation is by grace, not by works, lest any man should be proud or boastful (Ephesians 2:8-9).
 God loves us with a wonderful love which is full of mercy.  This love became incarnate in Jesus Christ, who expressed it to the fullest by dying for our redemption on the cross.  Jesus declared, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself" (John 12:32).  John the Baptist announced, "Behold!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).
 The cross, a symbol of shame, became through Christ the symbol of challenge.  The cross, a symbol of death, became through Christ the symbol of life.  The crucifixion of Christ was not a tragedy’ it was the triumph of the ages.  It was the reconciliation of love and truth.  The empty tomb is a guarantee that we will triumph over death also and spend eternity with the risen Redeemer, Christ Jesus.



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