Deathbed Salvation
Luke 23:32-50
32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This Is The King Of The Jews.
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The Word of God is pure. Every single word written has purpose, meaning, and power. I often ask, "Why did God use a criminal being punished for his crimes as an example." Well, it certainly proves salvation is the gift of God, not by works, lest anyone should boast! (Ephesians 2:8-9) But let's truly understand this deceitful deathbed salvation that many have been deceived into believing. Everyone talks of the criminal who got into heaven but the one that did not make it into heaven is just as important as the other! Remember, I just said every single word in God's word has a purpose. The criminal who did not receive Jesus, but railed or complained about Jesus, represent the people who believe they can live as they please, never acknowledge Jesus as Savior and Lord, have no desire to learn of God or repent but simply tell God what to do or complain about what He's not doing, yet still get in heaven! What a wicked spirit to tell Jesus who IS God, "If you are who you say you are save yourself and us!" And this is how the masses act and talk all day against salvation. God finished His work in six days. God does not need the bible. He created the bible for us to have and learn His ways and what He requires that we may live forever in paradise with Him.
Now let's look at the criminal who Jesus acknowledged. Jesus tells us if you stand up for me I'll stand up for you before my Father in heaven, but if you deny me, I'll deny you before My Father in heaven!" (Matthew 10:32-33) So once the unbelieving one mocked Jesus, the believing one rebuked him and said "Don't you fear God?" This criminal was caught and being punished but obviously he knew who Jesus was unlike the other criminal. He confessed he deserved to be punished for his wrong deeds and then he called Jesus, Lord, and then he said, "When You come into Your kingdom remember me!" Now a person who does not serve The Lord knows nothing about Him or His Kingdom, let alone rebuke another person, who he is sharing the same punishment for his crimes with! Most people are too cowardly and would say, "Who is he to judge him? They are being killed for the same thing!" Lol! This story was not written to say: Sin till your dying day then repent or make your peace with God or "the man upstairs" and you'll be okay. Now doesn't that just sound ignorant when you read that last statement? But here's another very important component to this story. The believing criminal DID NOT REPENT THERE! All through Jesus' ministry before He healed, etc., He FIRST forgave their sins! This criminal was already forgiven, his belief was accounted to him as righteousness! (Genesis 15:6) he had already repented and began to follow Christ! Only a follower of Christ can see Him for who He is EVEN IF THEY ARE BEING KILLED! This man is being killed and still knew God was God! Jesus was beaten the worst and in the same predicament as this guy yet he asked God to remember Him when He comes into His kingdom! Lol! Wow! Now be true to yourself, if you were in agonizing pain, being killed, then hung next to a guy they had beaten till he was unrecognizable as a man, moaning in pain just as you, would you acknowledge Him as the son of God? Only if you already knew and believed Him!
This story was not for you to think you can be saved just before you die. It was written to show the love of God. Despite this criminal's wrongdoing he confessed he had done wrong and lived his life believing Jesus was the Son of God and despite his circumstance he was elated to be next to Jesus and ask Him to please remember His servant! This is about God's love and the follower of Christ's true love toward God! Circumstances do not cause us not to obey and love God. There is NO deathbed salvation. You MUST know God before that day or you will be like the second criminal, the guy telling God if He is God, save me!
