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Part IV: Dogma and Ritual Questions · 37

Atoning for Sins

Faith Q&A › Many Years with People's Questions › Part IV

The question

If someone has sinned, should he atone for it by doing a good deed or by almsgiving?

The answer

The Bible says: "the wages of sin is death " (Rom. 6:23). There is no escape from this death sentence, except through Christ's death on our behalf; for He is the only atonement for our sins. (Rom. 3:24-5; 1 John 2:2, 4:10)

Only a person who believes in this blood and this atonement is worthy to receive it (John 3:16), providing he is repentant, and has received the grace of baptism (Acts 2:38; Luke 13:3,5).

A person is not saved by his acts alone (without faith), whatever good deeds he might have done. The Bible says about the redemption given by Christ, "Salvation is found in no-one else" (Acts:4.12).

As far as the action of mercy or almsgiving is concerned, it is that which moves the heart of God to pity, for the Lord Christ said: " Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy " (Matt. 5:7) But the action of mercy without repentance and without faith, cannot save anyone. On account of mercy, however, God's grace can kindle a person's heart and call him to repentance, and if he repents he will be worthy of the blood of Christ and his sins will be forgiven.

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Thrice-Blessed Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory

Thrice-Blessed Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory, Many Years with People's Questions, Part IV: Dogma and Ritual Questions. Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate. Translated by Mrs. Glynis Younan, London. Revised by Mrs. Wedad Abbas. First edition, August 1992. Revised COEPA 1997. ISBN 977-5319-0-2-1.