How Could the Thief on the Cross Be Saved? - Ask Pastor Tim

I'll Be Honest ^ | 12/3/18 | Tim Conway

[OddLane]

Some ask, “How was the thief on the cross saved if he didn’t live a righteous life?” Let us consider what this implies about how they believe a person is declared right before God.

Original question: Please clarify this for me. Regarding the theif on the cross. How do you compare his salvation with ours? I mean, he did not live a good life at all. He did not show any fruit of repentance. He did not live right, yet Jesus saved him anyway.

How was Jesus able to save him when we are clearly instructed to live right and to turn from sin? As I understand it, he was the only one in scripture who had this deathbed salvation so we can’t rely on that but you know what I mean?

[caww]

Remember the widows mite.....I think we’ll all be surprised and very satisfied whatever He determines.....will we actually care what others get or not? I don’t think so.

[metmom]

The sole basis of our salvation is the obedience to his commandments that is written on our hearts.

Totally and completely wrong.

The sole basis for our salvation if Christ's finished work on the cross.

We CAN'T obey God, even if we want to.

And even if we could lead a perfectly pure and righteous life from this moment on out, it would not do any good because of the sin we have already committed in the past, that we cannot undo, that condemns us.

[caww]

It’s not the works idea that’s in their way....it’s pride.

[SaveFerris]

[He was being executed for crime]

Correct

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Well, if you’re posting in the Spirit, sure 😁

[metmom]

To what "Roman Catholic definition of penance" do you refer?

How many do you have for crying out loud?

Etymologically, the word "penance" comes from a Latin root meaning "punish" or "punishment". Pretty sure crucifixion would qualify.

then why does the Catholic Bible translate the word *repentance* as *penance? if it's about punishment.

[metmom]

What a ridiculous post. He didn’t even know who Mary was.

How do you know?

[caww]

well you’re obviously ‘rule’ oriented just by the teachings you follow...unless you’re no longer with Roody...if you have turned away from that I’ll celebrate that with you.

I consider the scriptures as one would a compass..”walk this way”...and trust the spirit in which He gives us if I’m wrong.....For....we walk by faith and not sight.

[metmom]

It came from (imo) a Catholic perspective, which is why the thread deteriorated into salvation/works/rewards.

Discussing a Biblical view of salvation, works, and rewards is hardly *deteriorated*.

[Mark17]

Well, if you’re posting in the Spirit, sure 😁

I am sir. Maybe one of my rewards in Heaven, will be an unlimited supply of cookies. 👍😇

[OddLane]

What is Paradise?

[OddLane]

You don't know that.

He might have known who Mary was, and all of the Apostles.

He might have listened to, and rejected, Jesus's message 2 or 3 dozen times during his 3 and a half year ministry.

We have no idea-in fact, in the Bible it's made explicit that there are many things that weren't written of.

[af_vet_1981]

It is written:

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James, Catholic chapter two, Protestant verses seventeen to twenty four ,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[aimhigh]

There is little to nothing in scripture to indicate what kind of life the thief led

Wrong. If you read the whole story, the saved thief had earlier mocked Jesus along with the other thief. He was also guilty of theft, which is why he was crucified. He was saved by faith, not keeping any commands.

[aimhigh]

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

That passage in James speaks of justification before man, not God. Read the context - "Yea, a man may say, . . . shew me thy faith without thy works."

Romans clearly says Abraham was justified, but not before God.

[Radix]

It was an event that occurred before the Dispensation of Grace.

That Dispensation Of Grace was actual when in Acts, the Jews from many places gathered for the Holiday were pricked in their hearts and then the New Law was written on their hearts. (See Jeremiah 31:33) and compare it with Acts 2:37-38.

Few will, but it is there, and it is not changing.

[knarf]

yes

[knarf]

Amswering a simple question with a simple answer is sufficient for the thread.

Listen to this pastor tim .... he has a struggle trying to stay away from the fundamental simplicity of the Gospel near the end of his tape.

Which is why the question was posed in the first plasce.

[editor-surveyor]

Faith is the keeping of the commandments!

Read John’s first epistle.

Read James epistle.

Read Matthew 7:21-23.

Read Romans ch 2. (who will be justified? Doers, not hearers!)

[editor-surveyor]

.
So, you reject the plain words of the scriptures!

Nothing new with you.

The writing of the commandments on our hearts is the sole basis of our salvation.

Its the sole difference in the substance of the old and the renewed covenant.