In Christianity, it is believed that God sent Jesus Christ to die as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity, offering redemption and salvation to those who accept it through faith and repentance. Sin persists not because this sacrifice was ineffective, but because humans possess free will, and the full realization of salvation is expected in the future.
The Devil, a spiritual entity in Christian theology, continues to tempt humanity, remaining unaffected by events like the flood, which only targeted mortal life. His existence does not imply that he is more powerful than God, who is omnipotent. The idea of sacrificing the Devil in place of Jesus contradicts Christian doctrine and lacks biblical support.
The unique human-divine nature of Jesus made his sacrifice the means of atoning for sin. While some may view Jesus as a martyr, his death is seen primarily as a divine act to secure humanity’s redemption, far surpassing the concept of mere martyrdom.
Sikh View
From a Sikh perspective, the idea that death and resurrection are the only means for God to cleanse the world of sin is difficult to grasp. Why would an all-powerful God need to imprison Himself in the womb of a mortal for nine months?
As expressed in Gurbani:
เจญเจฐเจฎเจฟ เจญเฉเจฒเฉ เจจเจฐ เจเจฐเจค เจเจเจฐเจพเจเจฃ เฅฅ
เจเจจเจฎ เจฎเจฐเจฃ เจคเฉ เจฐเจนเจค เจจเจพเจฐเจพเจเจฃ เฅฅเฉงเฅฅ เจฐเจนเจพเจ เฅฅ
(Ang 1136)
โDeluded by doubt, the mortal practices falsehood. The Lord is beyond birth and death. He is not born, and He does not dieโ
เจเจฐเจฟ เจชเฉฐเจเฉเจฐเฉ เจเจตเจพเจเจ เจเฉเจฐ เฅฅ
เจเจนเฉ เจเจจเจฎเจฟ เจจ เจฎเจฐเฉ เจฐเฉ เจธเจพเจเจค เจขเฉเจฐ เฅฅเฉจเฅฅ
(Ang 1136)
โHe does not come and go in reincarnation. Says Nanak, God pervades and permeates everything.โ
In Sikhi, God is all-powerful. With His single word or Will, He can wipe away the sins of the entire world. Sikhs believe that the greatest sacrifice is living a pious life to cleanse oneself of sins and, when necessary, sacrificing oneโs life for a righteous cause.
As the Guru says:
เจฎเจฐเจฃเฉ เจฎเฉเจฃเจธเจพ เจธเฉเจฐเจฟเจ เจนเจเฉ เจนเฉ เจเฉ เจนเฉเจ เจฎเจฐเจจเจฟ เจชเจฐเจตเจพเจฃเฉ เฅฅ
(Ang 579)
โThe death of the brave is blessed if they lay down their lives for a righteous cause.โ
Martyrdom in Sikhi: Sacrifice for Righteousness
Sikhi reveres martyrdom (shahadat) not as a means to appease God, but as the ultimate act of courage in defending truth and justice. The Gurus and Gursikhs exemplified this principle:
Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th Guru) and Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (9th Guru) endured torture and execution for protecting religious freedom.
The four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji sacrificed their lives resisting tyranny.
For Sikhs, the concept of God sacrificing Himself to redeem humanity does not align with their understanding of the divine. Instead, Sikhi emphasizes living a life of virtue, compassion, and alignment with God’s will, focusing on personal responsibility in the pursuit of righteousness.
