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On ‘How can a thief gain heaven when good people are shut out?‘
(To gain a better understanding I have used the Contemporary English Version of the Bible here.)

This question arises from the salvation account of the dying thief from Luke 23:36-43…

— You can read ahead, however, we’ll start looking at what gains us admittance…

(Mark the correct answer.)

First, looking at what makes us eligible to gain God’s reward of eternal life in paradise.

Reading in Isaiah 64:4-5… You are the only God ever seen or heard of who works miracles for his followers. (5) You help all who gladly obey and do what you want, but sin makes you angry. Only by your help can we ever be saved.

— Q1. Here Isaiah writes about a generous sovereign God, and what makes that God angry, what is it?

a/ miracles     b/ obedience     c/ sin

(Vs.6) We are unfit to worship you; each of our good deeds is merely a filthy rag. We dry up like leaves; our sins are storm winds sweeping us away.

— Q2. In this powerful statement of our humility compared to God’s perfection, how does Isaiah describe our good deeds?

a/ robes of white     b/ filthy rags     c/ our glory

The Apostle Paul takes us further into this study in Romans 3:21-25… Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn’t by obeying the Law of Moses. (22) God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ.

— Q3. We read of how God treats EVERYONE ______ __________. (Fill in the blanks.)

a/ the same     b/ with disdain     c/ as enemies     (See Vs.22)

— Q4. Our Holy Creator God has one requirement to gain His acceptance.

a/ resisting sin     b/ doing good     c/ faith in Jesus     (Also Vs.22)

— Q5. Having faith in Jesus means that we…

a/ agree that he once lived.     b/ accept that He died for our sins, rose again, and now we will follow Him.

(Vs. 23-25) All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.  (24)  But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.  (25)  God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God.

— Q6. In Vs.23, Paul tells us that falling short of God’s glory (His perfection) is _______. (Fill in the blank.)

a/ fine     b/ sin     c/ no problem     (See Vs.23)

Now we look at Luke 23:36-43… The soldiers made fun of Jesus and brought him some wine.  (37)  They said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!”  (38)  Above him was a sign that said, “This is the King of the Jews.”  (39)  One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!”  (40)  But the other criminal told the first one off, “Don’t you fear God? Aren’t you getting the same punishment as this man?  (41)  We got what was coming to us, but he didn’t do anything wrong.”  (42)  Then he said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into power!”

— Q7. In this account, one of the criminals ridicules Jesus, the other ________ _______ ________.

a/ claims they’re innocent     b/ begs for mercy     c/ admits their guilt     (See Vs.41)

— Q8. This same dying thief makes a statement of faith in Jesus, what does he say?

a/ “Aren’t you the Messiah?”     b/ “Remember me when you come into power!”

(Vs.43) Jesus replied, “I promise that today you will be with me in paradise.”

— Q9. What do you think this promise of Jesus means for this repentant thief?

a/ His belief in who Jesus is has saved him.     b/ I don’t think much of a dying man’s promise.

— I hope we all can see that God continues to be fair, just, and merciful, and no measure of our good living can save us. To be saved, we need to have faith in Jesus, just like that thief on the cross… God bless, KK.

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