Curing a Hopeless Case
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:43 (NIV)
Years ago, when I was in sales, I had the privilege of sharing my faith with my co-workers.
One fellow heard me out and then told me in no uncertain terms, “I could never believe in a religion that allows people to live evil lives, and then have all their sins removed at the last minute and off they go to heaven.”
He was referring to the penitent thief who was on the cross next to Jesus, and called on Him to “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 2:342 NIV). This is one of the most memorable stories in the Bible, simply because it seems so dramatic and (to some people), unjust.
My co-worker was a fine husband, father and employee. He believed that the good works he performed daily would some day merit him going to heaven.
What he didn’t understand was that God doesn’t only look at our outward behaviour—He also sees what’s inside our hearts. In Matthew 5:28 He said, “… anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (NIV)
When sin is defined this way, we’re forced to recognize that we’re all sinners, regardless of how good we are. The penitent thief—who went to heaven after a life of crime—sinned in different ways than law abiding citizens, but sin is sin, and “the wages of sin is death“ (Romans 6:23 NIV)
Jesus offers anyone the privilege of being absolved of their sins, regardless of whether it’s something we do or think about doing.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.“ (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)
There’s only one story of a person being delivered from their sins at death, so that no one should despair, but only one is told, so that no one should presume. It was a wise Anglican bishop named J.C. Ryle who made that telling comment. He also said that anyone who hears this story should rejoice, because the plain truth here is that Jesus Christ is mighty to save.
“Of all the multitude of saved souls, none ever received so glorious an assurance of his own salvation, as did this penitent thief. Go over the whole list, from Genesis to Revelation, and you will find none who had such words spoken to them as these: ’Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.’” J.C. Ryle
The penitent thief recognized his sinfulness and was saved that day, but the other thief was not. Now is the time to give your life to Jesus. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Why should you not also be saved?
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.“ (1 John 1:9)