Peace Unite
We both agree that God's forgiveness is never ended and we both agree he is always ready to receive our repentance. A Christian who is truly walking with God, also is constantly asking forgiveness for bad attitudes etc.
Yes, I agree with you also that the life is a journey to God.. Paul describes it as a race that we are to persevere in. Along the way, we sin, we ask forgiveness. In that respect, we do not differ.
Where we do differ is in the assurance we have of sins forgiven.
Look at the reality of sins affect on us
The Need of Total Forgiveness
Sin is a heavy burden. It disturbs man's conscience and robs him of joy and peace. The prophet David cried out:
For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me
(Psalm 38:4).
Mohammed felt the burden of sin. It was too heavy for him and made him bend under its weight.
Have We not expounded thee thy breast? And removed from thee thy burden (literally "iniquity"). The which did gall thy back (Surat Al-Inshirah 94:1-3).
The Bible declares that man is a sinner by nature and actions. The Prophet David said:
Behold, I was shaped in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me (Psalm 51:5).
The apostle Paul said:
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me (Romans 7:14-20 NKJ).
Jesus said:
For from within, out of the hear t of men, processed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication's, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man (Mark 7:21-23).
Psychology confirms what the Bible says. There is the "id," the dark side of the human psyche. The Bible declares that sin is the transgression of the law of God (I John 3:4). It is negligence of doing what is good (James 4:17). it was whatever is not of faith (Romans 14:23). It is an evil or foolish thought (Proverbs 24:9). In the light of the Biblical definition of sin, we can say with the apostle Paul:
...All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
To deny that all men are sinners, is to deceive ourselves (I John 1:8).
The Quran does not offer assurance of forgiveness. Mohammed said to the Muslims:
Do good things, give alms, but know that none of your will escape judgment by his work. "Even you Messenger of Allah?" his followers asked, "Even me, unless Allah bestow his mercy on me" (The Doctrines of Islam, page 75)
Muhammad in the hadiths I have quoted showed that for you as a Muslim there is no peace and no assurance. For him as your prophet there was no assurance of salvation. If we take the Qur'an alone, and not look at the hadiths, there are suras that say that you will go to hell before you are taken out of hell and taken to paradise. As a Christian, I believe Jesus died and paid the penalty for my sin, so I would not ever have to face hell.
He told me in the Bible that He has come to give me eternal life. Why should I disbelieve Him? God, as my Creator knew my repentance would not change the sin nature in side me. He knew that no amount of repentance would stop me sinning again and again, and no amount of "trying" to be good, would ever prepare me for His holy presence. In His love and mercy, He himself did for me, what I could not do for myself Never underestimate or trivilise what took place on the cross. Angels look at it and wonder about it according to 1 Peter chapter 4. Can we neglect so great a salvation and escape rightful judgement?
Where you hope to go to paradise, I know I will go to heaven.
May you know that assurance as well.
In peace
Carol