You don't have to earn God's love (A letter to Muslims)
Dear Muslim friend,
If you have ever felt scared of death or alone in your struggle with spiritual emptiness…this letter is for you.
It seems hopeless to feel so unsure about what will happen when you die, right? It’s exhausting trying to earn Allah’s favor and do enough good deeds to hopefully get into paradise. And there’s no assurance.
But we’re here to tell you there is a way to guarantee where you will spend eternity! God Himself prepared the way for you! Someone fulfilled all God’s requirements on your behalf, and He promises to give you eternal life and, in your life here, deep peace, joy, and spiritual fulfillment that surpasses circumstances.
His name is Jesus Christ.
We understand the fears and thoughts you have right now. Allah and the Quran have a lot to say about these things, but we want to share with you the peace that Jesus offers instead!
Here is what the Creator of the universe says to those who trust in Him:
“Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will also help you,
I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
This verse offers such a deep and personal relationship with God. Maybe it seems too good to be true. Maybe you have many questions. Let’s dive deeper, so you can understand and believe the promises in this verse.
I’m Scared of Death: How Can I Be Sure of Where I Will Go After I Die?
The Quran says:
"The good deeds of any person will not make him enter Paradise." They (the Prophet's companions) said, 'Not even you, O Allah's Apostle?' He said, "Not even myself, unless Allah bestows His favor and mercy on me." (Sahih al‑Bukhari 5673)
The Bible says:
“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son [the Word of God] also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” (Hebrews 2:14-15)
Do not stop reading because you saw the word “Son” related to Jesus. This is not a physical sonship. Read more about it here to understand it.
Allah gives no assurance of heaven. A Muslim’s eternal destiny is entirely based upon their submission to Allah, but even the most devout servants of Allah are not guaranteed mercy from him. This may lead you as a Muslim to live your entire life in fear of Allah’s wrath, wondering if you’ve done enough.
The Bible actually says that because of Jesus’ death on our behalf, we can be set free from the fear of dying! When we believe in Him and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Bible says that Jesus actually prepares a place for us in heaven Himself! (John 14:2-3)
How Do I Know I’ve Done Enough to Get Into Heaven?
The Quran says:
"And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another." (Surat Fatir 35:18)
The Bible says:
" For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Quran says that it is up to you alone to bear the weight of your sins.
According to the Bible, there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. Only by faith in Christ can you be set free from the penalty of sin—it is not something that can be earned by human works.
What to Do If I Feel Spiritually Empty or Alone?
The Quran says:
“Who have believed and whose hearts have rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest!” (Surah 13:28)
Jesus says in the Bible:
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
The Quran says that in just remembering Allah, you will find comfort and peace. However, there is nothing peaceful that Allah has to offer in Islam—only a life of fear of death and striving to earn his mercy. Allah is not a close friend to believers, but is a distant master. So how can mentioning His name bring comfort and assurance and fulfillment?
Jesus says in the Bible that we find rest for our souls through Him. He gladly takes our burdens because He cares about us. He gives us peace and promises to be close to us at all times.
Do I Have to Earn God’s Love?
The Quran says:
“Lo! those who believe and do good works, the Beneficent will appoint for them love.” (Sura Maryam Ayah 19:96)
The Bible says:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Allah will love those who do good, but the God of the Bible loves us so much that even when we were still sinners, He sent His own Son to die for us so that we could be made right with God and offered eternal life. We do not have to earn God’s love—it is freely given to us.
What Does Isaiah 41:10 Mean for You as a Muslim?
It might seem foreign or strange to you that God could be close to us like a Father or a close friend, but this is what the Creator of the universe promises for all who trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. He tells us not to be afraid because He is always with us – He will strengthen us and take away our fears and anxieties. He promises to hold us by the hand spiritually and help us in our times of need. He will never abandon us or leave us.
Here is what the Creator of the universe says to those who trust in Him:
“Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
What a blessing it is to be so deeply loved by our Creator! Because of Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection, all who call on His name and believe in Him will not be held accountable for their sin—Jesus takes our place. All who put their trust in Him are freed from the fear of death, justified by faith for their sin, and are granted the pleasures of knowing God deeply and personally!
Our prayer for you, dear Muslim friend, is that you make the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. We pray that you know there is nothing you can do to save yourself from your sin; it is a price only God Himself could pay, through the death and resurrection of His perfect Son, on our behalf.
We’re here for you if you have any questions regarding any of these things, or if you want someone to pray with you. You can contact us here.
A Prayer to Follow Jesus Today
If you want to follow Jesus today, here is a prayer you can pray from your heart. It is not about the words you say, but about your heart seeking Jesus and accepting His sacrifice for you:
“Dear Jesus, I cry out to you today in desperate need of a Savior. I have been living my life in fear, trying to earn my salvation, but I acknowledge today that my works would never be enough. I need your blood to cover the price of my sins. I’m sorry for living my life away from you, and starting today I want you to be the Lord of my life. I want to follow you and your ways. I invite you into my heart today. I ask you in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer for the first time today, please let us know here so we can encourage you in the next steps of your faith journey! May the God of peace rule your heart and give you eternal hope through Jesus Christ!
With our prayers and love,
Call of Love Ministries
