Islamic Works vs. Christian Grace Chart

By: Ergun Caner; ©2001
Ergun Caner gives us information on Islam and salvation by works as compared to Christ and salvation by grace in an easy to read chart format. Used with permission www.erguncaner.com.

 

ISLAMIC WORKS v. CHRISTIAN GRACE
ISLAM AND SALVATION BY WORKS
CHRIST AND SALVATION BY GRACE
Salvation based on scales.(Surah 17:13-14)
Salvation based on the Cross and grace.(Ephesians 2:8-9)
Salvation based on a lifetime confession of faith in Allah and his messenger Muhammed.(Surah 1:2-4)
Salvation based on a personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.(Romans 10:9-13)
God is impersonal; therefore, obedience to the five pillars is most important.(Surah 2:277)
God is personal and incarnate; therefore, relationship with our Heavenly Father is most important.(Isaiah 9:6; John 20:28)
Conditional love based on obedience to Allah.(Surah 60:1)
Unconditional love based on the blood of Jesus Christ.(Romans 5:8)

 

Heaven is pictured as men sitting on couches being served wine by perpetual virgins.(Surah 4:57)
Heaven is pictured as the worship of Jesus Christ as He rewards men and women for their works after salvation.(Revelation 21; 1 Corinthians 3)

 

Allah only saves those whom he wants.(Surah 14:4)
God saves all those who will receive Jesus Christ as Savior.(2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2; Luke 19:10)

 

Sins are overlooked if the good outweighs the bad.
All sins must be punished since they offend a holy God. Therefore, the cross is necessary.

 

Salvation is never guaranteed (outside of jihad and martyrdom).(Surah 3:157; Hadith 1.35)
Salvation is guaranteed based on Christ’s finished work (Luke 23), the Spirit’s sealing (Ephesians 1:13), and the Word of God. (1 John 5:12-13)

 

Muhammed himself did not know his eternal destiny. Why follow a man who does not know God’s plan for his eternal life?(Hadith 5.266)
Jesus Christ finished the work on the cross.Salvation is not based on man changing himself. Salvation is based on God transforming man from the inside out.(2 Corinthians 5:17)

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