What Would The Thief Say To God?
Luke 23:39-43
It has been said that there are no atheist in fox holes. Many stories and accounts have been written about those coming to Christ in the very last moments of their earthly existence. Anyone who has been in the ministry for any length of time has probably witnessed what some might term "death bed conversions." Some of these accounts and experiences may seem dubious, but others may seem very real and genuine. Even though surviving relatives and friends are given great hope and encouragement by such a profession, only eternity will determine the truth of the matter.
In any case, in this passage we have a clear example of what might be termed a "death bed conversion." We do not need to speculate about the genuineness of it. Our Savior makes it clear that this thief hanging on the cross beside Him was truly saved by the grace of God at the very last moment of his earthly existence. What stronger evidence could one ask or what greater assurance could one receive than to be told by the Savior Who was dying for his sins, "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."?
In this passage also we have a clear and concise account of the theology (belief about God) that is necessary for a person to come to God and be saved. This thief, because of his desperate condition and position, illustrates that salvation is entirely by grace through faith; plus nothing and minus nothing.
Just what was his simple theology? He believed in God. He believed in the deity of Christ. He believed in the sinlessness of Christ. He believed in the wages of sin - judgment for sin. He obviously believed in hell. He believed in the sacrifice of Christ for his sins. He believed in the resurrection. He believed in heaven. He believed if he called upon the name of the Lord in simple childlike faith he would be saved. He believed in the Kingdom of God and the second coming of Christ.
But today I want to view this scene a bit differently. Those of us who go out sharing Christ often are confronted with the dilemma of just how to approach the matter of soul winning. What is the best way to seamlessly get into a soul winning conversation?
There are many ways to do so. I have found one of the best is by asking a series of lead in questions and then asking, "If you were to die today and stood before God and God asked you, ’Why should I allow you into my heaven. What would you say.’" The answers to this question can often greatly aid in understanding a person’s position and understanding of spiritual matters and then provide a point of contact for beginning a soul winning dialogue.
Today let us just imagine that after this thief died on the cross he stood before God and God asked him, "Why should I allow you into my heaven?" Of course, this did not happen. Nor would such ever occur. But for the sake of understanding what will and will not get a person into heaven, let us consider how might the thief justify his presence at the gates of heaven and what could he say that would gain him entrance.
First of all he could tell God about some things he was not depending upon to open those gates.
He could say, "I am not here because I am a good person at all. I lived the life of a terrible criminal. I had no regard for God or man. My crimes were many and many were hurt because of my heartless conduct. I pursued my chosen cruel criminal profession until the day I was arrested and tried and sentenced to die on the cross. The whole countryside was terrorized because of my activity. I had no change of heart. I did nothing to try to bring about a reformation. I was altogether unable to change.
When I was on the cross I came under terrible conviction for my sin. But it was too late to turn over a new leaf. I could do nothing to make up for my terrible past. I could not repay one penny to anyone I had hurt. I had no power to reform. Only God has such power. I CANNOT ASK YOU TO LET ME IN BECAUSE I REFORMED MY LIFE."
"But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousness [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isa. 64:6)
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" (Titus 3:5)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Ro. 1:16)
"For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4:12)
He could then say, "I am not here to claim that while on earth I conformed to your laws or to a Godly pattern of life. In fact, while dying on the cross I came to understand that it was too late to life a life that would be pleasing to you. I could not conform to any particular religion or righteous philosophy. Even if it would suffice, I could not go back and live my life over again. Religious sincerity would not save me. I CANNOT ASK YOU TO LET ME IN BECAUSE I CONFORMED TO ANY PARTICULAR RELIGIOUS PATTERN."
"Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." (Ro. 10:1-3)
"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 18:10-13)
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:26)
He could then say, "I am not here to claim membership in any particular group or denomination. I cannot speak about my religious pedigree. As I hung on that cross, it was clear that it was too late to be christened, baptized or confirmed. I have no religious rituals I can appeal to as qualifying me to enter heaven’s gates. Church membership was out of the question. The only place you will find my name written is the Lamb’s Book of Life! I CANNOT ASK YOU TO LET ME IN BECAUSE OF MY DENOMINATION." (John 14:6, Acts 4:12)
He could then say, "I am not basing my application for entry into heaven on other people. I am not here because of connections with family or friends. In fact, the crowd witnessing my crucifixion mocked me and made fun of the One I trusted. My peers pressure me to reject Him. My friend, the other thief, did his best dissuade me. I am sure they were well meaning. But they were wrong. They were the tools of Satan.
I am not basing my claims for entry on the actions of other Christians. In fact, I heard that even the Savior’s closest followers fled the scene. The were conspicuous by their absence. YOU SEE, I AM HERE IN SPITE OF SOME THINGS."
Then he could say, "Just why should you let me into your heaven? I believe in the existence of God. Did not I ask the other thief, ’Dost not thou fear God?’ It was clear to me that I was surrounded by a host of those who had not fear of God or the consequences of crucifying the very Son of God. In fact, my companion died cursing You. He was a fool. He did not realize the awfulness of falling into the hands of a living God."
Our culture today has no fear of God. Witness the attacks upon the Bible and upon Jesus and His deity during this Easter Season. The gnostic gospel of Judas. Da Vinci Code decision. Television documentaries casting doubt on the teachings of the New Testament.
". . .The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. . . ." (Psalm 14:1)
"[It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Heb. 10:31)
He could then say, "I believed in the sinfulness of man. I was especially convinced and convicted of my own sinfulness. After all, did I not say as I hung on that cross, ’we receive the just rewards for our deeds." I did not portray myself as a victim. I did not try to justify my sins nor blame them on anyone or anything else. I did not plead that I had been mistreated or abused as I grew up or by society. I conceded and confessed that my sins had hung me on that cross. That I was receiving justice. But I knew what I needed was mercy. That’s why I cried out for it." (Ro. 3:23, James 2:10)
He could then say, ’I BELIEVED IN THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST. I cried out to Him as my Lord, my God, my King. I recognized His right to these titles. I believed in the prophecies of old. A virgin would conceive. He would be God with us. I believed He was the Messiah. My kinsman Redeemer."
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isa. 7:14)
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." (Isa. 9:6-7)
"But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isa. 53:5-6)
He could then say, "I believed in the sinlessness of Jesus Christ. I knew He was innocent. Did I not say ’this man hath done nothing amiss’"? As the God man He had been tempted but had not sinned. I knew He qualified to be my sin sacrifice. As He hung beside me on that central cross, I knew all my sins were weighing down upon Him. When He cried, ’Father forgive them’ I believed He was praying for me. When he cried out ’it is finished’ I knew Had paid the price for me." (I Peter 3:18, I Cor. 5:21)
He could then say, "I BELIEVED IN THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. Everyone could see that Jesus was dying a most horrible death. It was obvious that He would be buried. Yet I had faith He would come forth from the grave as Had predicted. That He would have a kingdom. I believed that if I trusted Him I could join Him in His kingdom forever and someday be resurrected from the grave and have a body like His resurrected body."
He could then say, "I BELIEVED IN LIFE AFTER DEATH. When He said I would be with Him in paradise immediately after I had breathed my last breath on that cross, my heart leaped with joy. It made no sense to me. But I accepted His words by faith. I knew I deserved hell, but He was giving me the gift of eternal life and a home in heaven!" (John 14:1-3)
"For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (II Cor. 5:1)
"Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." (II Cor. 5:6-8)
Then he could say "I BELIEVED THAT SALVATION WAS BY GRACE AND NOT WORKS. I could not be do anything to save myself." (Eph. 2:8-9)
He could then say, "I BELIEVED GOD WOULD HEAR A SINNER PRAY. I did not pray a fancy prayer. I simply prayed a sinner’s prayer. I cried out, "Lord remember me.’ I’m so glad I did not have to be in the temple or in some special place in order to be saved. It was just the Lord and me and my heart reached out to Him in repentance and complete faith in Him." (The publican’s prayer, Ro. 10:13)
A man was challenged again and again by a pastor to accept the Lord as His Savior. Each time when the pastor begged him not to procrastinate, he would laughingly say, "I’m going to sow my wild oats and live a life or pleasure. Then at the last I am going to be like the thief on the cross." Finally, the pastor said, "Which thief? There were two of them, you know!"
Have you been saved by the grace of God? What would you say if you left this earth and stood before God today? There is not other way but the way this dying thief came to Christ?
