What Can Wash Away My Sins?

The other day, whilst visiting the lavatory at work, I met a research student called Mohammed. It was a rather strange experience because Mohammed was frantically washing his feet away in the sink. At first, I have to say I found it rather nauseating and asked him not to do that because a sink, the last time I remember was designed to wash hands. It was very off putting because he had pretty much stunk up the lavatory and put others off from entering.

Anyway, the Lord impressed on my heart to witness to him and take the opportunity to share Christ. I figured out that he must be a Muslim, so I simply asked him if he was to swing the conversation to spiritual things. He replied ‘yes’ and then asked me what I was. I told him I was a Christian and then quickly added that ‘there was no one other than Jesus Christ who could cleanse him off his sins. He was taken back and bit dumbfounded with the suddenness of this encounter and kind of lost his words for a few moments.

Anyway, we got talking and I told him that no matter how many times he bathed, cleansed, prayed or washed himself, he could not wash away the stain of his sins and be made clean by himself. I told him that there was nothing that was going to make him clean, pure or righteous in God’s eyes, other than the blood of Jesus Christ. I then shared with him the work of Christ on the cross and how through the imputed righteousness of Christ alone he could be forgiven of every sin he had ever committed.

He listened and responded by saying ‘how can Jesus, being a man forgive anyone’s sin?’ Joy filled my heart as his doubt reminded me of the incident when the scribes and Sadducees said the same thing to Jesus:

When He (Jesus) saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” (Luke 5:20-24)

Mohammed then said ‘well Jesus was just a prophet.’ I replied ‘how many prophets do you know that were born of a virgin, raised the dead, walked on water, gave the blind sight and forgave men their sins.’ Surely only God is able to forgive men their sins, and if Christ unashamedly did this, then He must be God. It is for this reason the scribes and the Pharisees accused Him of blasphemy because in their eyes, Christ has exercised what only God could do. Namely, forgive men of their sins.

Islam teaches that on judgement day your good deeds must outweigh your bad deeds to stand a chance of heaven. I told Mohammed that his evil deeds far outweighed his good deeds which meant that he was guilty and condemned before God. However, Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the cross made a way to be forgiven and justified before a holy God. I then went further and challenged him if Islam guaranteed him salvation. He couldn’t answer yes or no and gave a middle ground answer. The answer is clearly no, because almost everything in Islam is ‘insha’Allah’ (God Willing) and heaven is never guaranteed. It is only through good deeds, prayers and faithfulness that a Muslim can enter ‘paradise’. Jesus Christ stands tall yet again as the Saviour of men’s souls and the justifier of the wicked. His blood is pure, perfect and worthy to cleanse, forgive and make every sinner that comes to Him by faith alone into a saint. Not by virtue of their goodness, but by virtue of His grace.

Oh Muslim, don’t you see that you cannot enter heaven? For by your own works you are condemned. Turn to Jesus Christ. He is able to forgive to the utmost. Your washing is imperfect and cannot remove the stain of sin. Water or soap cannot purify you. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you from every sin. However, Christ came, humbled Himself and washed the feet of His disciples and then died on a cross to justify you before a holy God. Come to Jesus, He will by no means cast you away.

…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

What Can Wash Away My Sin?

I’d like to leave you with the words of one of my favourite hymns written by Robert Lowry.

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Tags: Blood, Forgiveness, Islam, Mohammed, Robert Lowry, Sin

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