A Simple & Easy Truth

[HAMel]

Three people were being executed and their time was running out.

The one in the middle claimed to be the Son of God, which is why He was being put to death. The other two were criminals. No record of their names except for the one called Jesus.

All of a sudden, one of the criminals, realizing his situation cried out in despair…, if you be the Savior, save yourself and us.

This offended the other criminal at which time he began rebuking the first by admitting that he was in fact being executed because he was guilty. In reality, they were both guilty of being criminals and were reaping their just rewards!

He further admitted this guy in the middle, the one called Jesus, had done absolutely nothing wrong and appeared to be exactly who he claimed he was. The Savior!

In his present condition with death eminent he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Jesus responded with, For sure, I tell you a truth…, today you WILL be with me in paradise.

Course, most of those standing around hearing this exchange got a big laugh out of it. Not all, but some of ‘em.

End of truth.

So I ask you. How did this criminal end up in paradise?

He didn’t jump any pews. He wasn’t baptized. He didn’t speak some unknown language. Tell me. How did this criminal end up in paradise?

Clue
…he admitted he was a sinner?
…he came to realize and admit Jesus was the Savior?
…he asked this guy named Jesus to save him?

If you came to this conclusion then you win!
If you do anything other than..., you lose!

So where does all this “nonsense” come from that we witness not only in churches around town but also on forum boards regarding Salvation?

Reference: The Bible, Like 23. :wavey:

Ya' all have a good one. I'm headed to a pig pickin' this afternoon. :thumbsup:

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

So where does all this “nonsense” come from that we witness not only in churches around town but also on forum boards regarding Salvation?

Absolutely, Hamel, I agree with your outline of the circumstances, and your conclusion. Would just point out, somehow this man had the witness necessary to believe. Perhaps he had heard of Jesus either before he was arrested, or afterwards when other men who had lost all hope due to their criminal activities before hearing of or actually meeting Jesus told of the miracle of their deliverance, at least from the spiritual aspect. Obviously they were still going to have to pay the Earthly consequences of their pasts. However it was, he had a witness, and it convicted him, particularly hanging on a cross next to his Savior.

Ya' all have a good one. I'm headed to a pig pickin' this afternoon. :thumbsup:

Pick a rib for me, will ya? When I was at Rucker in the last millennia, we loved going over to the Bayous of Louisiana were some of the guys were from and stuffin' ourselves at what they called a conchon de lait.