A Contrast Of Two Thieves
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesThe gospels record that two guilty thieves joined in the derision of Jesus (Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:32). But the penitent thief had a change of heart [mindset] (Luke 23:40-42).
The penitent thief took advantage of God’s eternal principle of divine mercy found in Isaiah 55:6-7, and as a result, Jesus promised him a place in Paradise with Him (Luke 23:43).
On the other hand, the rebellious thief persisted in sin to his very last breath. Every day of his life had afforded opportunity to change, but stubbornness prevailed. Even his plea for help was one of scorn (Luke 23:39). No doubt, he would have been glad to have been saved from “where” he was [the cross], but he was not willing to be saved from “who” he was [a sinner]. His conscious was “past feeling” (Ephesians 4:17-19) or “seared” (1 Timothy 4:1-2 NKJV; cf. Romans 1:28-32).
The life of the impenitent thief, were days of treasuring up God’s wrath (Romans 2:5). Some folks will just not repent, regardless of how many warnings they receive (Revelation 9:20-21). Thus, this thief was not only dying on his cross, but was dying in his sins.
Jesus plainly tells us that those who die in their sins will never experience heaven (John 8:21; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 21:27). The tragedy of this man, as well as all other examples of people dying in sin, should warn the lost not to die in a similar condition (Luke 13:2-5; cf. Luke 16:27-31).
From the Scriptures, we understand that all responsible people are sinners (Romans 3:23, and all men will die and come to judgment (Hebrews 9:27; Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10). The repentant thief represents those who are crucified with Christ. This means dying to the life of sin and living by faith (Galatians 2:20). It includes baptism into the death of Christ that one might “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4; cf. Romans 6:1-6; Gal. 3:26-27).
Crucifixion is one of the most painful forms of death ever devised by man. However, there is one death that will be even more excruciating than crucifixion (Revelation 20:14-15; Revelation 21:8. That ultimate horror, is to die anywhere, at any time, in any manner, without Christ. For to be without Christ is to be forever without hope (Ephesians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13; cf. Luke 16:19-26).
With the above thoughts in mind, will we have the mindset of the impenitent thief, or the mindset of the penitent thief? The choice is ours (contrast 1 Kings 18:21; with Joshua 24:14-15).
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