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We see the story unfold in Luke 23........a couple of men still alive and able to make a choice, one in faith realized God is beside him......the other continues to mock and seals his eternal destiny. No clearer picture of humanity can be found, salvation is faith in Jesus, we all get the same choice as these two. We are all as guilty as they in God's sight, and no matter what we've done we can come to the Lord.......
32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”2 And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him,3 “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,4 saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(This was under the Gospel of the Kingdom, those who knew Jesus was the Son of God were saved)
Under grace and AFTER the cross we are to believe the Gospel of Grace today......and it's right here
1Cor 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures
Believe this gospel today and be just as assured of heaven as that thief on the cross. You will be spending eternity in heaven with that same Jesus of old...........
Because the so-called "bandits" on his right and on his left were really just like Jesus. They were all crucified for basically the same thing: sedition. John and James first requested to be at his right and left in glory. But they didn't realize the cross would be the true glory, which is why Jesus told them they did not know the cup that he would have to drink. The cup of suffering.
We see the story unfold in Luke 23........a couple of men still alive and able to make a choice, one in faith realized God is beside him......the other continues to mock and seals his eternal destiny. No clearer picture of humanity can be found, salvation is faith in Jesus, we all get the same choice as these two. We are all as guilty as they in God's sight, and no matter what we've done we can come to the Lord.......
32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”2 And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him,3 “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,4 saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(This was under the Gospel of the Kingdom, those who knew Jesus was the Son of God were saved)
Under grace and AFTER the cross we are to believe the Gospel of Grace today......and it's right here
1Cor 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures
Believe this gospel today and be just as assured of heaven as that thief on the cross. You will be spending eternity in heaven with that same Jesus of old...........
So what will YOU believe?
Jesus did not tell the thief he was saved. He told the thief that he would be in paradise with him--- The way it works--- Every grave will be emptied to judgement in Gods kingdom. Many will get the opportunity to learn and apply Gods will with no satan influences for 1000 years-- they must be tested, that is why satan will be loosed for a little while, some will follow him. So just because one enters Gods kingdom does not mean they will with stand the final test. there are no guarantees of those being saved until they pass the final test.
Not once did Jesus say the thief will go to heaven. twistings of reality teach it. The resurrection will be on the earth. only 144,000 are promised entrance into heaven-Rev 14:3
He used his freedom of choice; wanting eternal life. Just one more example thrown in, during the life of Christ, that relates to us. Should be obvious.
We see the story unfold in Luke 23........a couple of men still alive and able to make a choice, one in faith realized God is beside him......the other continues to mock and seals his eternal destiny. No clearer picture of humanity can be found, salvation is faith in Jesus, we all get the same choice as these two. We are all as guilty as they in God's sight, and no matter what we've done we can come to the Lord.......
It is a very good illustration. Many go to their graves cursing God, while others open their hearts to Him.
Why did Jesus save the thief on the cross next to Him?
Because he showed faith in Christ.
It is not difficult for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
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